Grand Theft Auto is violent, but it's rated Mature, and the actor behind Michael wants non-gamers to just stop complaining.
Hollywood actor Ned Luke is an all-American family man with a wife and kid who lives in Westchester, New York. He just happens to play a criminal in the most popular video game out there today. Luke spent three years in a motion capture suit to bring Michael De Santa to life in Rockstar Games’ Grand Theft Auto V, which went on to generate $1 billion in just three days. In addition to providing the gangster’s voice, every movement – and even his facial expressions – were captured using brand new performance capture technology.
The 55-year-old actor, who can also be seen in the new season of HBO’s Boardwalk Empire, has logged a lot of hours playing the new game. But he won’t let his 11-year-old son play it. But that’s because he’s a responsible parent, and the game is rated Mature. He, better than most parents, knows exactly what’s in the game. Luke delves into the satire of GTA V and wonders why this game franchise is always the target of the non-gaming mainstream media and politicians in this exclusive interview.
What do you have in common with Michael de Santa?
We’re both just really handsome devils. If you haven’t noticed, we’re really good-looking guys. That’s about it. He’s got better hair than me. We actually have a lot in common, other than the killing and stealing and all of that. I’ve brought a lot of myself into that character. I don’t want to say that that guy is me because he’s a criminal and I’m not a criminal. But I think he has more in common with my imagination than he does with me. Put it that way.
