Fans Are Convinced Jason in ‘GTA 6’ Has a Secret ‘Red Dead Redemption 2’ Connection
Since Rockstar Games showed off more of Grand Theft Auto 6 with a new trailer and dozens of new screenshots ahead of its record-shattering preorder, fans have been analyzing every frame for clues. Some theories have focused on gameplay mechanics or hidden details in Vice City’s sprawling world, while others have tried to connect GTA 6 to Rockstar’s previous games. One fan theory in particular has resurfaced in recent weeks thanks to a pair of TikTok videos, and it suggests Jason Duval may have a bigger connection to Red Dead Redemption 2 than anyone expected.
The idea itself isn’t new. The idea also circulated on Reddit months ago, where a user admitted it was probably “a little far-fetched” before suggesting Arthur Morgan could be Jason’s great-grandfather or even his great-great-grandfather. It’s still nothing more than fan speculation, but it’s an interesting one to unpack, especially because there are a few reasons it feels plausible at first glance before Red Dead Redemption 2‘s canon starts getting in the way.
Fans Think Jason and Arthur Look Almost Identical
Image via Rockstar Games
Image via Rockstar GamesThe biggest piece of evidence is Jason himself. The recent TikTok videos compare close-up screenshots of Jason from Grand Theft Auto 6 with Arthur Morgan from Red Dead Redemption 2, highlighting how similar the two protagonists appear. Their facial structure is close, with comparable jawlines, noses, eyes, hairstyles, and even the same rugged expression Rockstar often gives its more grounded protagonists. The original Reddit theory argues that the resemblance feels too specific to be accidental. While Rockstar certainly has a recognizable art style, supporters of the theory believe Jason’s design shares more with Arthur than any of the studio’s other protagonists. If Jason were intended to be Arthur’s descendant, they argue, making the family resemblance obvious would be a subtle but satisfying detail for longtime fans.
From a timeline perspective, the theory isn’t completely impossible either. Red Dead Redemption 2 takes place in 1899, while Grand Theft Auto 6 is set in the modern day. More than 120 years separate the two stories, leaving plenty of time for four or five generations between Arthur and Jason. That’s enough to make the theory sound believable… at least until you start looking at Arthur’s established backstory.
Arthur Morgan’s Story Leaves Very Little Room for Theory
Image via Rockstar GamesThe biggest obstacle comes from Red Dead Redemption 2 itself. During one of the game’s optional conversations, Arthur reveals he once had a son named Isaac with a waitress named Eliza. Rather than living with them, Arthur would occasionally visit and help support the family financially. The arrangement came to a tragic end when Arthur arrived for one of his visits and discovered both Isaac and Eliza had been murdered during a robbery over a few dollars. It’s one of the defining moments of Arthur’s life and helps explain much of the compassion and regret he carries throughout Red Dead Redemption 2, cultivating one of the most beloved stories in gaming. More importantly for this theory, Isaac is Arthur’s only confirmed child. Arthur never mentions another son or daughter anywhere in Red Dead Redemption 2, leaving very little room in the game’s established canon for Jason to be his direct descendant. Unless Rockstar were to reveal Arthur unknowingly fathered another child before or during the events of the game, the family tree simply doesn’t line up.
Of course, that’s where fan theories thrive. Some supporters have suggested Jason could descend from another branch of the Morgan family instead of Arthur directly, while others think Rockstar could always introduce information players simply didn’t know about. Neither idea has any evidence supporting it, but that’s also part of the appeal.
Rockstar Has Always Encouraged Fans To Look Closer
Image via Rockstar GamesWhether Jason is related to Arthur or not, the popularity of the theory says just as much about Rockstar’s storytelling as it does about the two characters themselves. Rockstar has spent decades rewarding players who pay attention. Its games are packed with recurring fictional brands, radio personalities, background jokes, environmental storytelling, and Easter eggs that encourage fans to look beyond the main story. It’s part of the reason every new trailer or screenshot immediately turns into an internet-wide investigation. That doesn’t necessarily mean Grand Theft Auto and Red Dead Redemption share the same universe. In fact, Rockstar has generally treated the two franchises as separate continuities despite the occasional wink and nod to longtime fans. But the studio has also never shied away from references that blur the line between simple Easter eggs and something more meaningful.
It’s also worth considering why this particular theory has resonated with so many players. Arthur Morgan remains one of Rockstar’s most beloved protagonists nearly eight years after Red Dead Redemption 2 launched. For many fans, the idea that Jason could carry on even a small part of Arthur’s legacy is simply fun to imagine, regardless of whether it ever becomes canon. At the moment, there isn’t any evidence beyond a striking physical resemblance to suggest Jason and Arthur are actually related. Still, that’s unlikely to stop fans from comparing every new screenshot Rockstar releases between now and Grand Theft Auto 6‘s launch.
