The GTA: San Andreas movie, starring Will Smith as Carl “CJ” Johnson, brings Rockstar Games’ beloved crime-action video game to life in a thrilling and intense adaptation. Set in the early ’90s, the film showcases the gritty streets of Los Santos, inspired by the urban culture of Los Angeles, with gang wars, corrupt cops, and personal revenge driving the narrative.
The trailer opens with a sweeping shot of Los Santos, a sprawling, crime-infested city rife with tension. CJ, having spent five years in Liberty City, returns home after the tragic murder of his mother. We see him standing at her grave, his face hardened by years of hardship. Will Smith’s portrayal of CJ introduces a character battling both external enemies and internal demons. His deep voiceover sets the tone: “I came back for family… but nothing is the same.”
The trailer quickly shifts to action as CJ is thrown back into the gang life. The Grove Street Families, led by his brother Sweet (played by Michael B. Jordan), are in a bitter war against the Ballas, a rival gang trying to take control of the neighborhood. Tensions rise as CJ is forced to reclaim his family’s honor and protect his home, all while navigating betrayal from those closest to him.
Corrupt police officers, Officer Tenpenny (Samuel L. Jackson) and Pulaski (Woody Harrelson), take center stage, manipulating the gang violence for their own gain. The trailer teases CJ’s struggle to fight back against the corruption of the Los Santos Police Department, with scenes of high-stakes car chases, intense gunfights, and CJ on a daring escape from a helicopter across the iconic Vinewood sign.
The climax shows CJ in a showdown with Tenpenny, as the officer taunts him, “You’re just another piece in my game.” CJ responds, “This city’s mine, not yours.” The trailer ends with CJ walking away from an explosion, signaling that he’s taking back control, both of his life and his city.
