GTA IV Roman Bellic Actor Says He’d Love a Remaster, But Why Not Yet?

Jason Zumwalt—the performer who voiced Roman Bellic in Grand Theft Auto IV—says he’d genuinely “love” to see a rumored remaster finally materialize, while also admitting he has no clear idea why Rockstar hasn’t tackled it yet.

Key takeaways

  • Jason Zumwalt, known for voicing Roman Bellic in GTA IV, wants a GTA IV remaster just as much as fans do.
  • He’s puzzled that Rockstar hasn’t acted on the idea already, especially given the opportunity a remaster would offer.
  • Zumwalt speculates Rockstar may be concerned about SAG-related contract complications.
  • He points out that he and Niko’s actor, Michael Hollick, returned for GTA IV’s downloadable content.
  • Zumwalt also argues GTA IV’s story stands out as the series’ most “intimate.”

Jason Zumwalt Wants A GTA 4 Remaster As Much As We Do

While the community is still anxiously waiting for any new update on the long-discussed GTA 6, it’s not the only thing people want from Rockstar. A major request that keeps coming back is a real remaster of Grand Theft Auto IV—something distinct from the way the original trilogy was handled in the Definitive Edition releases. Many fans point to GTA IV as the “black sheep” of the franchise, yet still treat it as a title that deserves a proper second look.

That demand isn’t coming out of nowhere. Over time, multiple reports and rumors have claimed Rockstar is working on some version of a GTA IV port or remaster. However, the timing appears uncertain, particularly with GTA 6 looming large in the background. Still, this isn’t just a fan wish—Zumwalt has now added his own support, since he’s one of the voices tied directly to the game.

“I Don’t Know Why They Haven’t Done It”

Earlier this week, the Instagram account loveitfilm shared a clip pulled from its interview with Jason Zumwalt. In the segment, Zumwalt—who played Roman Bellic—responds to questions about whether a GTA IV remaster could happen and whether he’d be interested in seeing it become real, given his connection to the original.

The exchange is bluntly enthusiastic. Zumwalt says he’d “love” to see a GTA IV remaster, and he doesn’t understand why Rockstar hasn’t already moved forward. In his view, Rockstar seems to have a “perfect chance” to do it.

He also floats a potential reason for the delay: contracts. Zumwalt suggests the situation could involve SAG agreements, and he wonders if Rockstar is hesitant to “open that can of worms.”

For viewers who aren’t familiar with what he means, the reference likely points to the well-known controversy involving Niko’s actor, Michael Hollick. Hollick publicly criticized the pay situation, saying he was paid $100,000 for more than a year of work on the game.

Even if that’s not the cause of the remaster delay, Zumwalt adds another detail: he and Hollick were both brought back for GTA IV’s downloadable content. That suggests the controversy didn’t permanently derail their involvement with the project.

Zumwalt also weighs in on the series’ storytelling. He claims he isn’t being biased when he says GTA IV has the best story in the franchise, arguing that it’s far more “intimate” than the narratives found in the other games.

Of course, even with his voice in the conversation, Zumwalt’s opinion won’t determine whether Rockstar actually makes a remaster. Rockstar tends to chart its own course, and the timeline for any GTA IV update remains unknown. Still, it’s notable to see someone directly involved in the game openly pushing for it—meaning the only real answer may come later, after GTA 6 finally launches.

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Marcus Chen is a gaming journalist and industry reporter with more than 10 years of experience. He covers releases, announcements, and trends across PC, PlayStation, Xbox, and Nintendo, and keeps a close eye on the indie scene and esports. Previously an editor at several gaming publications, he now writes news, reviews, and breakdowns of major industry moments—from big showcases to updates on popular titles. His work is aimed at players who want a clear, fast read on what happened and why it matters.