Grand Theft Auto VI is already one of the most anticipated games of the decade, and Rockstar Games hasn’t exactly been shy about feeding into the hype. Between official trailers, promotional screenshots, and cryptic website updates, the GTA community has had more than enough breadcrumbs to pick apart. And, as always, the sleuths of r/GTA6 and beyond have been working overtime, dissecting every frame, every character, and every detail.

Now, one of the boldest theories to emerge is shaking up how players think the story might unfold. According to dedicated fans, Rockstar may be hiding a secret, third playable protagonist — a character who could completely shift the game’s ending. Even more shockingly, some believe this mysterious third lead may be the one who takes down Jason or Lucia in the final act.

Could GTA 6 Money be setting players up for a twist of this magnitude? Let’s dive into what’s driving this speculation, who the suspected third protagonist is, and whether the evidence actually holds up.

Jason and Lucia: The Duo We Know

Rockstar confirmed through trailers that Jason and Lucia are GTA 6’s primary protagonists, marking the series’ first time featuring a female lead. The Bonnie-and-Clyde-style pairing has already captured imaginations, with fans speculating about how their partnership will drive both the narrative and the gameplay.

The trailers have shown them robbing stores together, escaping cops, and navigating Vice City’s neon-soaked streets. Their relationship dynamic looks central to the story, and much like Michael, Franklin, and Trevor in GTA V, the interplay between Jason and Lucia could form the backbone of the campaign.

So where does this third character theory fit in?

The Raul Bautista Conspiracy

Following the release of GTA 6’s second trailer, Rockstar quietly uploaded several promotional images to their official website. At first glance, they seemed like typical stills designed to highlight characters, locations, and the game’s stunning graphics.

But in the GTA community, nothing goes unscrutinized.

Characters like Cal Hampton, Boobie Ike, Dre'Quan Priest, Real Dimez, and Brian Heder all appeared in the promo shots. For most players, these looked like mission-givers, gang leaders, or secondary characters that Jason and Lucia would interact with. But then came Raul Bautista.

Unlike the others, Raul looked different — not just visually but in how Rockstar presented him.

Positioning Oddity: As user MyThIcB_ pointed out, Raul is the only character featured with his portrait on the left side of the screen rather than the right. Could this subtle change be Rockstar hinting at his importance?

Gameplay-Like Screenshots: While other characters’ shots seemed cutscene-focused, Raul has images where he’s alone, driving a car — the kind of framing more typical of gameplay.

Protagonist Energy: Fans like ContributionSquare22 noted that Raul’s solo screenshots resemble the way Rockstar previously teased John Marston’s epilogue role in Red Dead Redemption 2. Players had no idea they’d be playing as John after Arthur’s death until the game launched. Could Rockstar be repeating that trick here?

These small details have snowballed into a compelling theory: Raul Bautista may not only be in the game but could be a hidden third protagonist unlocked under certain story circumstances.

Multiple Endings? Death of Jason or Lucia?

The boldest version of the theory goes further: Rockstar could be planning multiple endings, where either Jason or Lucia dies.

In such endings, Raul would emerge as a replacement protagonist — taking over the epilogue missions to wrap up the narrative.

The precedent exists. In Red Dead Redemption 2, Arthur’s story ends in tragedy, and players unexpectedly step into John Marston’s boots for the epilogue. Rockstar pulled this twist off seamlessly, and it remains one of the most emotionally resonant story decisions in gaming history.

Fans now wonder if Rockstar might aim for a similar gut-punch in GTA 6, using Raul as the “stand-in” character for whichever protagonist meets their fate.

Imagine finishing a climactic mission where Jason or Lucia is taken out, only for the game to continue under Raul’s perspective. Such a move would reinforce GTA’s themes of betrayal, crime’s inevitable downfall, and the unpredictability of the criminal underworld.

Arguments Against the Theory

As exciting as this idea sounds, not everyone is convinced.

Cutscene vs. Gameplay Confusion: Just because Raul appears alone in a car doesn’t mean it’s playable. Rockstar often includes cinematic shots that look like gameplay.

Other Characters Appear Alone Too: Cal Hampton floating solo in a pool or Dre'Quan Priest partying alone in a club haven’t sparked protagonist theories. So why Raul?

Marketing Tricks: Rockstar loves misdirection. Highlighting Raul could simply be a way of establishing him as an important antagonist or ally, not necessarily a playable character.

Two Protagonists May Be Enough: GTA V’s triple-protagonist system was groundbreaking but also complex. Many believe Rockstar is deliberately keeping GTA 6 focused on two characters to create a more intimate, character-driven story.

Who Is Raul Bautista?

Even without protagonist speculation, Raul is clearly no minor NPC. His design — sharp suits, stern expressions, and “cartoonishly evil” vibes — makes him look like a major player in Vice City’s criminal ecosystem.

Some fans believe he could be a drug kingpin or political operator, someone with both the money and the influence to shape events in Vice City. If Rockstar is leaning into modern themes of corruption and power, Raul could easily be central to the narrative, whether as ally, antagonist, or — as the theory suggests — something in between.

Rockstar’s History of Narrative Curveballs

Part of why fans latch onto theories like this is Rockstar’s track record.

Grand Theft Auto V surprised players with three distinct protagonists, switching between them seamlessly during missions.

Red Dead Redemption 2 shocked everyone by killing off Arthur Morgan and having players finish the story as John Marston.

Even earlier titles like GTA IV had branching choices that affected endings in unexpected ways.

Rockstar thrives on narrative twists. They want players to feel both empowered and blindsided, and introducing a third protagonist could be the studio’s way of upping the ante in GTA 6.

Could Rockstar Really Hide a Protagonist?

Here’s the million-dollar question: Could Rockstar keep something this big under wraps until launch?

The answer is: absolutely.

They’ve done it before (RDR2’s epilogue).

Their trailers are notorious for misleading players with carefully curated scenes.

With a game of GTA 6’s scale, hiding one more protagonist behind carefully chosen promo material is entirely possible.

In fact, given how much the community is already speculating, Rockstar might be quietly enjoying the chaos, letting fans debate endlessly while the truth remains locked behind closed doors.

Why This Theory Resonates with Fans

There’s a reason why Raul Bautista has become the lightning rod for speculation:

Players Expect Twists: Rockstar has trained its fanbase to look for hidden meanings and surprises.

Protagonist Symbolism: Jason and Lucia represent passion, rebellion, and partnership. Raul could embody betrayal, greed, or survival — themes central to GTA’s DNA.

Desire for Replayability: A secret protagonist or multiple endings would skyrocket the game’s replay value, ensuring players return to explore every possibility.

My Take: Stretch or Stroke of Genius?

Personally, I see both sides.

Yes, the “third protagonist” theory rests heavily on tiny details, and some of it feels like classic fan overthinking. Raul Bautista being positioned on the left side of a webpage isn’t exactly ironclad proof of protagonist status.

But at the same time, it’s exactly the kind of breadcrumb Rockstar would leave to stir speculation without confirming anything. And given how well they pulled off Arthur-to-John in RDR2, it would almost be disappointing if GTA 6 didn’t have a twist of similar magnitude.

Would Raul make sense as a protagonist? Potentially. His stern, villain-like presence could create a fascinating contrast to Jason and Lucia’s wild partnership. If Rockstar really is planning a death-and-epilogue scenario buy GTA 6 Money, Raul could be the perfect wild card.

Conclusion: Waiting for the Truth

At the end of the day, GTA 6 remains wrapped in mystery. Jason and Lucia are confirmed, but Raul Bautista’s role is still up in the air. Whether he’s a mission-giver, antagonist, or secret third protagonist, his inclusion in promotional material has already sparked one of the game’s biggest pre-release debates.

And that, in itself, might be Rockstar’s goal — to keep players theorizing, speculating, and obsessing until the final product lands.

Until then, the only certainty is that GTA 6 will be massive, ambitious, and full of surprises. Whether Raul Bautista ends up behind the wheel as a protagonist or not, one thing’s for sure: Rockstar is about to redefine what players expect from an open-world crime saga.