Out of all the Grand Theft Autos released, which do you think would make the best movie? The Miami Vice aura of Vice City? The Menace II Society known as San Andreas? Or how about the most recent one where you’re basically a Bosnian version of The Professional? Well, keep those thoughts in your minds, kids, because there’s never going to be a GTA movie thanks to the high courts and a dinky 1977 movie by the same name. So sad, too, because there was one rumored to be made starring Eminem… wait, there wasn’t any GTA: Detroit Rock City.

Back in February we spotted a rumor that a GTA movie starring Eminem almost happened. It was knocked down the same day by Rockstar’s Dan Houser, who said “we never entertained proceeding with the project.” Maybe the story pitch was crap, but even if it wasn’t, now we know at least one reason why.

LA Weekly’s Nikkie FInke reports on her blog that a settlement prohibits Rockstar from making a movie based on Grand Theft Auto, which is the same name as a 1977 film whose rights are owned by Fox. The settlement also prohibits Fox from making any video game based on that movie.

Which is absurd. Like we’d want a video game version of a Ron Howard Smokey And The Bandit rip off. Now Happy Days, we’d love to see that get the Xbox treatment. Just imagine having to get the power meter right so Fonzie can properly hit the jukebox to work. Awe. Some.

Settlement Makes GTA Movie Impossible [Kotaku]
Image [impawards.com]