Lawrence Sullivan, nicknamed the “Florida Joker”, effectively issued a three-day ultimatum to Rockstar Games, demanding that the company pay him a reward, now up to $3 million, for allegedly using it in the first GTA 6 trailer.
For the uninitiated, the first trailer for GTA 6 features a face-tattooed NPC who fans have easily linked to Lawrence Sullivan, a man who was arrested twice for illegal gun possession and became famous thanks to the media dubbing him the “Florida Joker” for his resemblance to the Joker. A few days after the trailer’s release, Sullivan publicly demanded $2 million in compensation from Rockstar Games for using his likeness in the game without consent.
Now Sullivan is back at it, raising his demands by another $1 million and giving Rockstar Games a three-day ultimatum before he will enlist the help of his lawyers. To make his warning even more serious, Sullivan added that his case is not like that of Lindsay Lohan, the actress who sued Rockstar Games over a similar issue, and that he has concrete evidence on his side.
“GTA, I’m giving you the biggest free marketing in the history of this game. For this I want to get an extra million dollars,” Sullivan began in a video posted on TikTok.
You guys always don’t answer me. Do you see this? Find another person in Florida who inspired this character. I’ll wait, I’ll wait. GTA, we need to talk, do you think I’m joking? You have three days, three days before my lawyers go crazy on this case. It’s not like Lindsay Lohan. I have concrete evidence.
It’s interesting to note that Sullivan also dyed his hair purple (it was previously green), most likely to make the resemblance between him and the character from the GTA 6 trailer even more striking. In any case, it is unlikely that Rockstar Games will give in to the demands. Perhaps the Florida Joker should heed the advice of Red Dead Redemption 2’s Arthur Morgan to enjoy the fame while it lasts.
