50 Cent Aims to ‘Build Something Big’ as Executive Producer of ‘Payday’ Video Game Adaptation
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Post By
DJ Longers
- August 10, 2026
50 Cent Aims to ‘Build Something Big’ as Executive Producer of ‘Payday’ Video Game Adaptation
LOS ANGELES — Hip-hop mogul and television executive Curtis "50 Cent" Jackson has officially signed on as an executive producer for a live-action television series based on the hit heist video game franchise Payday.
Jackson will help spearhead the adaptation through his production banner, G-Unit Film & Television, in partnership with Vice Studios and game developer Starbreeze Entertainment.
The announcement sees the 51-year-old artist continue to expand his television empire beyond gritty urban crime sagas, setting his sights on transforming the popular co-op shooter into a global, multi-media franchise.
Pushing the Boundaries of the Heist Genre
First launched in 2011, the Payday franchise has built a massive global fanbase around the fantasy of planning, executing, and escaping elaborate bank robberies and high-stakes heists.
Speaking on behalf of G-Unit Film & TV, Jackson made clear that his ambitions for the property go far beyond a standard adaptation, promising a high-octane spectacle:
"G-Unit Film & TV has built a track record of creating cinematic crime stories that connect with audiences around the world," Jackson said in a statement. "Teaming up with Vice Studios and bringing the world of 'Payday' to the screen gives us the chance to build something big—a high-energy franchise that pushes the heist genre forward."
The sentiment was echoed by Starbreeze Entertainment CEO Adolf Kristjansson, who praised Jackson’s direct, uncompromising approach to storytelling:
"Payday has always been about the fantasy of getting away with it," Kristjansson stated. "Curtis and G-Unit don't do subtle, and neither do we. This is not about playing it safe; it's about doing the franchise justice with people who are as immersed in the world as we are."
A Growing Empire Across Film, TV, and Gaming
Jackson is no stranger to either crime television or video games. Through G-Unit Film & TV, he executive-produced the critically acclaimed Power universe and BMF (Black Mafia Family) for Starz.
In the gaming space, Jackson previously headlined two standalone action titles in the late 2000s, 50 Cent: Bulletproof and 50 Cent: Blood on the Sand—and contributed voice work to Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2.
His involvement in Payday comes amidst a busy year for the performer. Jackson recently featured in the live-action film adaptation of Street Fighter as Balrog, set for release later this autumn.
Table: Key Details — 'Payday' Television Series
| Project Attribute | Official Production & Creative Details |
| Executive Producer | Curtis "50 Cent" Jackson (G-Unit Film & Television) |
| Co-Production Partners | Vice Studios & Starbreeze Entertainment |
| Source Material | Payday video game franchise (Overkill Software / Starbreeze) |
| Genre | Action / Crime Thriller (Heist) |
| Release & Broadcaster | TBC (In early development) |
What Lies Ahead
While Starbreeze and Vice Studios have not yet announced a head writer, director, or attached network, the addition of Jackson provides substantial star power to the adaptation.
With Hollywood studios increasingly turning to video game properties following the success of series such as The Last of Us and Fallout, Jackson's involvement signals that the Payday series aims to be a heavy hitter in modern action television.
