Actors Who Could Play Niko

Its me - Niko Bellic.

If GTA4, (or GTA FIVE), ever makes it to Film or TV, who could possibly play Niko? I did a post like this a long time ago, with a poll for people to vote! I think I failed to get my point across!

Everyone seemed to have ideas like Tom Cruise and Sean Connery, through to actors like Christopher Walken and Nicolas Cage. Sorry, but these just will not do!

Many other actors were mentioned like these, that 'did not look the part'. I'm not saying they could not play the hard-man, they just are not right for the Niko part.

There is a certain magic about GTA4 and the protagonist Niko Bellic. I would like to think the character would be more in line with Tony (ScarFace) Montana's morels of not wanting to kill innocents.

I mean that, the suggestions I have made, are based on the actors ability to act the 'hard-man' as well as being able to look like Niko, yet to have the look of a man that could show compassion and mercy if required.



I'd also like to step things up with this post, and make a series of posts, to ask who could play other characters in the GTA4 cast, like Roman and LJ. Send me your ideas!

Jason Statham.
Let me start off with my favourite suggestion of who could play Niko. The first nominee would have to be Jason Statham. Not just because of his looks and acting ability, (he may not be able to do the Russian accent, but maybe he doesn't have to). I would choose Statham because of his fighting styles.

Jason Statham

Statham even has that turn-back fist (back-hand), that Niko can do and similar to what Luis Lopez moves are. (Also used in dancing).

Statham is also more well known and (I suppose), a bigger star than the others I will mention later.

A lot of Jason Statham's films are already in the same genre as the game. The Transporter, Transporter 2 and Transporter 3 movies for instance!

Other films like London (2006), Revolver (2005), Lock, Stock and Two Smoking Barrels (1998), the 'CRANK' movies, The Bank Job (2008), Snatch (2000), Mean Machine (2002), Cellular (2004) and of course The Italian Job (2003).

Perhaps a little on the young and strong side, he could play a younger Niko, whereas, Pete Postlethwaite (Actor) (pic below) could have been a cinch for Niko's looks although he was a little too old..

However, Pete Postlethwaite perhaps 'did not ever have' the physical agility and ability, for all the running and fighting that Niko does!

We will have to admit that, Pete Postlethwaite was a good look-a-like, (I'm sure I've seen and heard him doing a convincing Russian character in some past films, I just cannot remember which). I do have to mention this Oscar nominated actor, but that is as far as we can go. Pete Postlethwaite unfortunately died in January 2011 aged 62. I'm sure he could have pulled the part off convincingly, with a lot of help from camera effects and stunt men etc.

Picture - Courtesy of VideoGameLookaLikes.com.  NewGTAgame.co.uk.

Vladimir Mashkov.
The next best actor for the Niko part, after Jason Statham, would certainly have to be Vladimir Mashkov.

Vladimir_Mashkov_is_Niko_Bellic

Not only does he look the part, but he is an eastern European actor!

He already has the Russian English accent that is perfect for the part!


You saw him in the film. 'Behind Enemy Lines' (2001). If this guy cannot play Niko, then no-one can!

Vladimir_Mashkov_is_Niko_Bellic

Vladimir Lvovich Mashkov (Russian:  born. November 27, 1963 in Novokuznetsk, Soviet Union now Russia) is a Russian actor best known to Western audiences for his work in the 2001 film Behind Enemy Lines. Mashkov has also worked as a film director, producer and writer for the 2004 Russian film "Papa".

Click here for wikipedia.org/wiki/Vladimir_Mashkov

Remember that Statham does all of his own stunts and fight scenes whenever possible, I do not know if this is true of Mashkov. I think it is important to be a 'real action man' for this type of role.


In a future post, we will look at who could play Roman, Little Jacob, Packie, Mallorie, Dwane, Playboy X, etc. I don't think we will do everyone in as much detail as I have looked at Niko Bellic, since Niko is the main character in the game.


It all depends upon what the story-line follows. We might not have a Packie, Dwane or Playboy X for example. However, Roman and Mallorie would be part of the fixtures and fittings I suppose.


Can I hint at needing a funny man for the part of Roman? (Too late, I just did)!
Perhaps someone like Eddie Izzard, or better still what about the 'Rotund' Comedian himself, Ricky Gervais. 

• Or, perhaps we could have cameos by; The Split Sides Comedy Club Comedians from Grand Theft Auto IV TBoGT (The Ballad of Gay Tony), comedians: Ricky Gervais and Katt Williams.

Ricky Gervais could play a Vlad type and Katt Williams could play Bad-Man, (LJ's friend).


I would really love to see Samuel L Jackson play Little Jacob, (Did you know he voiced the GTA San Andreas Main Antagonist - Officer Frank Tenpenny! (Check Wikipedia). He caused CJ some real pain in that game! So, Jackson is not unfamiliar with GTA and should be able to take to the role of LJ, fake dreadlocks and all!


I could sit and talk all night about this, but lets leave it here for now. More to follow, keep checking back for the next instalment. Don't forget to sign up to the email club list. 

Have a great day! Niko.

TAGS: Actors Who Could Play Niko, GTA4 Film, GTA, GTAIV, GTA4 Vladimir Mashkov, Vladimir Mashkov, GTA4 Pete Postlethwaite, Pete Postlethwaite, GTA4 Jason Statham, Jason Statham, Niko Bellic, GTA4 Niko Bellic, GTA4 actors,

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