In the GTA: San Andreas Live-Action (2025) teaser trailer, Will Smith takes on the iconic role of CJ (Carl Johnson) in a gripping adaptation of the classic video game. The trailer begins with sweeping aerial shots of Los Santos, a gritty, sprawling city filled with crime, corruption, and power struggles. A voiceover from CJ sets the tone: “After five years on the East Coast, it was time to go home.” The music cuts in with an intense hip-hop beat, instantly transporting viewers into the world of Grand Theft Auto.
We see CJ arriving back in his old neighborhood of Grove Street, which has fallen into disarray. Gang violence, police brutality, and social decay are visible all around him. CJ’s family home is shown, with his mother’s murder acting as the catalyst for his return and setting up the personal vendetta that drives his actions. Brief flashbacks reveal CJ’s troubled past, hinting at the inner conflict he faces as he gets pulled back into the dangerous world he left behind.
Will Smith’s portrayal of CJ is intense, blending a mix of vulnerability and toughness as he reconnects with old friends and enemies, including a glimpse of Big Smoke (played by an as-yet-unnamed actor). Tension rises as CJ realizes his old gang, the Grove Street Families, has lost control of their territory to rival factions like the Ballas and Vagos. The corrupt LSPD, led by Officer Tenpenny (Samuel L. Jackson), further complicates CJ’s efforts to rebuild his life.
Explosive action sequences fill the trailer as CJ engages in high-speed chases, bank heists, and brutal shootouts across the sprawling city. The trailer teases the familiar missions from the game, such as stealing cars, gang warfare, and CJ’s infamous quest to retake the streets of Los Santos. The gritty realism of the film is brought to life with stunning visuals, and the stakes are higher than ever.
The teaser ends with CJ standing on the iconic Grove Street bridge, looking out over the city, as he mutters: “This is my home. No one’s taking it from me.”
