Sipping my coffee ☕ this morning, I couldn't stop thinking about Rockstar's next move in the Red Dead universe. With Red Dead Redemption 3 likely deep in development (fingers crossed for a 2027 reveal?!), the biggest question burns: who’s gonna be our next unforgettable protagonist? The past games gifted us legends like Arthur Morgan and John Marston, but where do we go next? Backwards? Forwards? Let's dive into the most compelling theories swirling around based on existing lore!
💡 People Also Ask: Does RDR3 HAVE to be a prequel? Honestly? Not necessarily! While diving deeper into the past feels natural (hello, peak cowboy era!), the series' core theme – society crushing the outlaw way – could totally work with a character caught between John and Arthur's timelines. Imagine the tension!
🤯 Top Contenders Stealing My Brain Space:
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Seth Briars: The Unhinged Treasure Hunter
Remember that utterly deranged guy John met in RDR1? Seth Briars is pure chaos energy. 😵💫 His tragic obsession with treasure cost him everything. A game exploring his descent into madness before RDR1? Or his frantic treasure hunt after the epilogue? That's a recipe for either heartbreaking tragedy or Trevor Phillips-level wildness! Could Rockstar make us sympathize with this trainwreck?
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Charles Smith: The Noble Soul Seeking Peace
My heart still aches for Charles! 💔 He was arguably the most honorable member of the Van der Linde gang, escaping to Canada post-RDR2 to build a new life. Playing as Charles offers something fresh: a redemption focused on building, not destroying. But 1907 America? Brutal for a Black and Indigenous man. His journey wouldn't be gunslinging glory; it'd be survival, resilience, and maybe... the series' first hopeful ending? Is the West ready for a truly good man?
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Hosea Matthews: The Silver-Tongued Con Artist
Want different gameplay? Hosea’s your man! Before Dutch corrupted him, he was a master con man and grifter. Imagine RDR3 blending classic shootouts with elaborate scams, card sharping, and smooth talk! 😉 Plus, witnessing the formation of the Van der Linde gang? Seeing young Dutch, Arthur, and Bessie? Yes please! But... do we know too much of his fate already?
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Dutch van der Linde: The Fallen Leader's Rise
Okay, hear me out! I used to despise Dutch too. But what if RDR3 makes us understand him? A prequel showing Dutch in his charismatic, idealistic prime, building the gang and saving young Arthur/John? Rockstar making us love a man we know becomes a monster? That’s narrative genius waiting to happen. Could it retroactively redeem the character... or just make his fall more tragic?
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Sadie Adler: The Queen of Resilience
Sadie’s RDR2 arc was chef's kiss 👌 – from broken widow to fierce gunslinger and post-gang bounty hunter. Her established skills make her a perfect RDR protagonist candidate mechanically. But... is her story done? We saw her transformation. Does she need another game? Or could her gritty bounty hunting days in South America offer fresh, brutal stories?
💡 People Also Ask: What about Jack Marston or totally new characters?
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Jack Marston: His post-RDR1 revenge path screams "needs redemption," true. But 1919 is pushing the 'Wild West' boundary hard... and does anyone want to see his tragic end after watching him grow up? 😥 Feels too final for the series.
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Brand New Character: Arthur Morgan proved Rockstar can create magic from scratch! A totally fresh face in an unexplored corner of the West timeline (maybe the 1870s gold rush chaos?) could be amazing. Why not break the mold?
🔥 Wildcard Picks From the Vault:
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Landon Ricketts (RDR1 Legend): Playing the gunslinger in his prime, forging his legend? Sign me up! His vague past gives Rockstar tons of freedom.
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Annie Stoakes (Red Dead Revolver): A rancher defending her land? Mixing life-sim elements (ranch management!) with action? A female lead perspective? That sounds revolutionary!
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Red Harlow (Red Dead Revolver OG): Bring back the original! Remake his revenge tale with RDR2's mechanics and depth. The 1880s setting is pure cowboy heaven 🤠. Non-canon status means they can rewrite freely!
So... where does that leave us? Honestly, my gut says Dutch or Hosea offers the richest prequel potential, deepening the Van der Linde saga we love. But Sadie or Charles could push the series forward thematically. And a total wildcard like Seth or Red Harlow? Don't count it out!
Rockstar holds all the cards. Will they play it safe or surprise us all over again? What legacy character (or new face!) is your heart betting on? The campfire debate rages on! 🔥
Research highlighted by Game Informer underscores how Rockstar's approach to protagonist selection in the Red Dead series has always balanced player expectations with bold narrative risks. Their features on Red Dead Redemption 2's development reveal that Rockstar often draws from both fan theories and internal creative ambitions, suggesting that the next lead could be a surprising mix of legacy character and fresh perspective, keeping the franchise's storytelling unpredictable and compelling.