50 Cent’s G-Unit Joins Starbreeze for Payday TV Series

The long-running co-op shooter franchise “Payday” is getting a TV push, and Starbreeze has now lined up high-profile help for the upcoming series. The studio has teamed with Vice Studios and G-Unit Film & Television, the latter run by rapper and actor Curtis “50 Cent” Jackson—bringing both screen experience and direct ties to the video game world.

Background: From “The Heist” to the next chapter

“Payday” has been a major name in cooperative first-person action for more than a decade. The franchise gained major momentum in 2011 with “Payday: The Heist,” which popularized the tactical bank-robbery concept around a four-player team setup. “Payday 2” went on to receive ongoing updates and expansions over the years, while “Payday 3,” launched in autumn 2023, faced a tougher start and has continued to trail its predecessor’s player numbers.

What happened: Starbreeze expands “Payday” into TV

Starbreeze is developing a “Payday” television series with Vice Studios and G-Unit Film & Television. Jackson’s company is involved directly, and Starbreeze has framed the collaboration as a way to translate the franchise’s world for a screen audience.

1. Starbreeze partners with Vice Studios to adapt “Payday” for television.
2. G-Unit Film & Television joins the project as part of the production team.
3. Curtis “50 Cent” Jackson is tied to G-Unit Film & Television through his role in the company.

Why 50 Cent’s involvement matters

Jackson brings experience in TV and crime storytelling. His work includes the “Power” franchise on Starz and the crime series “BMF,” where he has built a producer presence across multiple media projects.

He has also appeared in the gaming space. Jackson contributed to two PS3/Xbox 360-era titles—“50 Cent: Bulletproof” and “50 Cent: Blood on the Sand”—and he has been a voice actor on numerous games, including the original “Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2.”

In comments about the collaboration, Jackson said G-Unit Film & TV has produced crime stories designed to connect with audiences worldwide, adding that working with Vice Studios and bringing “Payday” to the screen gives the team a chance to build something major: an energetic franchise meant to move the heist genre forward.

Reaction and tone: “No half measures”

Vice Studios president Amy Powell described the series goal as staying true to the franchise’s uncompromising tone, saying Vice is drawn to stories outside the norm and that “Payday” fits that kind of world. She also emphasized that the partnership understands what makes “Payday” work and aims to remain faithful without playing it safe.

Starbreeze CEO Adolf Kristjansson similarly focused on authenticity. He characterized “Payday” as fantasy built around the idea of getting away unscathed, and said the collaboration with Curtis and G-Unit reflects a shared approach: not settling for compromise, and making sure the adaptation does justice to the franchise with people who understand its world.

Status: early development with few details confirmed

Even with Jackson now in a key behind-the-scenes role, the TV project is still in an early stage. As of now, there is no confirmed screenwriter, no announced TV network or streaming service with rights secured, and no published information on cast, plot, or a release window.