Did CJ’s GTA San Andreas story inspire Franklin’s character in GTA V?

Franklin Clinton might be the face of GTA V’s future, but let’s not forget where that blueprint came from: Carl “CJ” Johnson in San Andreas. Two guys, two different generations, same struggle: get out of the hood and make it big.

If you’ve ever thought Franklin felt familiar, that’s because Rockstar definitely sprinkled some CJ DNA into his story.

Here’s why we think Franklin’s story is a spiritual successor to CJ’s in all the best ways.

Both Started with Nothing but Ambition

CJ returns to Los Santos after his mother’s death. Franklin’s stuck repo-ing cars for a shady boss. They’re both at rock bottom, grinding in the hood, surrounded by friends who don’t want more out of life. But unlike the people around them, both CJ and Franklin do want more.

More power. More respect. More freedom. They’re tired of the small-time life. And that hunger is what sets them apart.

They Both Had Toxic Friends Holding Them Back

CJ had Ryder and Big Smoke—two friends who eventually sold him out. Franklin has Lamar—loyal, but always pulling him into dumb chaos. Both CJ and Franklin had to realize that not everyone from the past deserves a seat at the table in the future. Where CJ had to cut ties to survive, Franklin slowly distances himself from Lamar to move up with Michael and the FIB.

Same vibe, different decade.

Mentorship Changed Their Game

CJ had to deal with conflicting influences like his older brother, Sweet (who wanted to stay loyal to the streets) and Big Smoke (who had secret ambitions). Franklin? He finds a mentor in Michael De Santa, a retired bank robber who opens his eyes to “real money” and bigger jobs. This is where both characters level up. Their mentors showed them how to survive and thrive in a world way bigger than Grove Street or South Los Santos.

From the Hood to the Top

CJ ends San Andreas as a millionaire running businesses and owning the streets. Franklin finishes GTA V in a mansion, calling shots and possibly killing Michael or Trevor (depending on your choices).Both characters came from nothing. And both ended up on top—not just through violence, but through smart moves, loyalty to a few, and knowing when to let go.

The Legacy Lives On

Franklin isn’t just a new character—he’s a tribute to CJ. Rockstar didn’t copy-paste his story, but the inspiration is loud and clear. Same struggle, same drive, and the same dream: to break the cycle and take control. In a way, Franklin is what CJ could’ve become in a more modern GTA world. And that’s why their journeys still hit hard.