Starbreeze Entertainment has officially partnered with Vice Studios to bring the multi-million-selling Payday franchise to film and television, marking a major expansion of the long-running heist series beyond gaming. The deal grants Vice Studios worldwide rights to develop live-action adaptations, with both companies positioning the move as a significant step toward turning Payday into a full-scale entertainment platform.
Best known for its high-intensity cooperative heists, the Payday franchise has built a loyal global audience over the past 15 years. However, the upcoming adaptations aim to go far beyond the action, diving deeper into the narrative foundations of the series. Vice Studios has highlighted plans to explore the hidden mythology behind the iconic masks, as well as the personal histories of the core crew members, including Dallas, Hoxton, Wolf, and Chains. These characters have long been central to the games, but their stories have largely been told through fragmented content, leaving room for a more cohesive and character-driven approach on screen.
The partnership also signals a strategic shift for Starbreeze as it looks to strengthen the franchise following the mixed reception of Payday 3’s 2023 launch. Despite that setback, Payday remains a major success story, with more than 50 million players worldwide and over $400 million in lifetime revenue. By moving into film and television, the company is aiming to reinforce the brand and expand its reach into mainstream entertainment.
This is not Starbreeze’s first attempt at adapting Payday for live-action. A previous deal in 2023 failed to materialize, but the collaboration with Vice Studios suggests a renewed focus on delivering a higher-quality, more cinematic experience. With Vice’s track record on gritty crime dramas, the project is expected to lean into a darker, more grounded tone that aligns with modern prestige television.
The agreement covers both film and television formats, though it remains unclear which will enter production first. Given Vice Studios’ experience with serialized storytelling, a TV series appears to be a strong possibility. Starbreeze will remain closely involved throughout development to ensure the adaptations stay true to the franchise’s high-stakes heist identity, while also retaining full ownership of the intellectual property.
No release timeline has been announced, and the project is still in the early stages, with key creative roles yet to be filled. As development progresses, the Payday adaptation will join a growing wave of video game properties making the leap to film and television, reflecting the industry’s increasing influence on mainstream entertainment.
