50 Cent Jackson joins Payday TV as EP

A powerhouse of hip-hop history has stepped into the world of high-stakes cinematic crime, lending his considerable gravitas to a new adaptation project.

Rapper Curtis “50 Cent” Jackson, the iconic figure behind tracks like In Da Club and globally recognized for his presence in video games like 50 Cent: Blood on the Sand, has officially joined Starbreeze Entertainment and Vice Studio’s Payday TV show as an executive producer. This collaboration brings the gritty, high-energy aesthetic of G-Unit Film & Television to the world of heist entertainment.

Jackson’s involvement stems from his company, G-Unit Film & TV, which has focused on building cinematic crime stories that resonate with diverse audiences. As he put it, teaming up with Vice Studios to bring the world of Payday to the screen offers a chance to build something massive and push the heist genre further forward.

With extensive experience both in front of and behind the camera, 50 Cent is already a seasoned figure in the entertainment landscape. He has helmed projects like Fightland, The Gilgo Beach Killer: House of Secrets, and Power Book IV: Force, demonstrating a knack for crafting compelling narratives.

His acting portfolio further speaks to his versatility, including roles in films such as Den of Thieves and Southpaw. Fans familiar with his legacy also recognize his contributions to gaming history, notably the original Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2 and Payday franchise entries.

The decision to bring in Jackson reflects a shared philosophy regarding narrative intensity. Starbreeze CEO Adolf Kristjansson emphasized that the project isn’t about playing it safe; it’s about giving the franchise justice by working with creators who are as deeply immersed in the world as the creators themselves.

The Payday franchise itself is built on the fantasy of a daring getaway. The series, which followed masked criminals like Dallas, Hoxton, Wolf, and Chains plotting elaborate heists, has seen fluctuating success across its various entries. While Payday 2 continues to draw massive player numbers, the most recent installment, Payday 3, faced a challenging launch.

Vice Studios President Amy Powell noted that Vice has always been drawn to stories that operate outside conventional boundaries. She believes that G-Unit brings a unique perspective that is true to the franchise without compromising its core identity.

Currently, while the collaboration is taking shape, the Payday TV show remains in development, awaiting a network or streamer to bring it to life. The creative team is focused on making this adaptation an event, promising a high-energy cinematic experience rooted in the very essence of a perfect crime.