We were able to speak with Shawn Fonteno from GTA Online: The Contract about his return as Franklin and his plans for the character’s future.
Originally, Franklin, Michael and Trevor were supposed to get their own single player DLCs after GTA 5. However, this never happened and fans of the three heroes were left high and dry for years. Eight years to be exact, because at least Franklin is returning with The Contract for GTA Online.
We got the opportunity to talk to the actor of Franklin Clinton from GTA 5 and GTA Online. And it turned out: Not even Shawn Solo Fonteno had expected to ever return to the role – as he reveals to us in the interview:
[When I got the call,] I was coaching kids football. At first I couldn’t believe [Rockstar] wanted me back. I had to pinch myself, thinking they were done with it and would have long since moved on to [GTA] 6, Red Dead or whatever. […]
So when I found out that I was going to be the boss [of The Contract] [as Franklin], I was just like, Damn! […] I always hoped for it and prayed for it a little bit and if something happened I would have gone along with it. But actually – eight to nine years later – I had already accepted that it would be over.
By the way, you can see what happened to Franklin Clinton after the events of GTA 5 in the trailer for The Contract:
Will Shawn Fonteno return as Franklin again?
Unlike, for example, his colleague and Trevor actor (Steven Ogg) (Better Call Saul, The Walking Dead, Snowpiercer), Shawn Fonteno did not pursue his acting career after GTA 5 and focused on other things. With his return for The Contract, however, he now seems to have taken a liking to it and is keeping the possibility open for further appearances.
Fonteno would not object to a part in the still not officially announced GTA 6, for example. However, he doesn’t really expect it and trusts Rockstar as far as their plans for the next part of the Grand Theft Auto series are concerned – regardless of whether he is involved in it or not:
Rockstar made an actor out of me, although I never saw myself as one. After GTA 5, I never pursued that career and went back to my regular life. […] Now I’m ready, after [The Contract] I just have to move on and capitalise on this opportunity. […]
Whenever [GTA 6] comes out, I’m going to support that – regardless of who’s going to be involved. Whether it’s going to be me or three other protagonists […]. Maybe you will be involved? I don’t know about anything or who will be involved. […] I support everything Rockstar is going to do and you can expect them to sink the ball again. But of course I’d like to be involved – you can take my word for that.
What we know about GTA 6 so far: By the way, we enlighten you about all reasonably trustworthy leaks and rumours about GTA 6 in our big collection article. What has leaked out in the meantime and what established insiders would like to have learned:
Everything you wanted to know about The Contract
The Contract was released on 15 December 2021 as the latest update for GTA Online. The expansion added new cars, weapons and an agency as a new property to the game. We have summarised everything you should know about The Contract for you in a big overview.
GTA Online: New update coming as early as next week – all info on The Contract
What do you think about Franklin’s return in GTA Online? And would you also enjoy a reunion with Michael and Trevor? Let us know in the comments!
