Just as the buildings, cars, and weapons of GTA Online have been changed by the relentless passage of time, so too has the eclectic cast of characters that players consort with. This attention to detail can be best observed by the soon to be re-introduced Franklin, a character that players last chronologically controlled during GTA 5’s final missions. With roughly eight years having passed in-universe since that moment and the free upcoming “The Contract” DLC, Franklin’s character model has been tweaked noticeably to reflect this.

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Franklin’s Physical Appearance In GTA Online

Introduced after Grand Theft Auto 5’s prologue, Franklin quickly became a fan favorite character when the game originally launched on the PS3 and Xbox 360 back in 2013. Occupying the role of the relative newcomer to the world of organized crime, an archetype that other past franchise protagonists have held, players gradually witnessed his rise to power through Franklin’s own deeds and actions.

His journey stood in contrast to Michael and Trevor’s, who in many ways represented the successful and unsuccessful GTA protagonist tropes respectively. It’s important to keep that trajectory in mind in the present, however, as it provides key context as to why aspects of Franklin’s appearance have been changed during his reintroduction.

Franklin’s physical appearance is arguably the aspect of the character that’s been simultaneously tweaked the most obviously, and the most subtly. In the eight year interval since the end of GTA 5, the once fresh-faced hero is canonically able to grow an eye-catching beard. While his new facial hair is likely the observation that most players will gravitate to first, slightly less obvious wrinkles have also taken hold of the character’s otherwise unchanged physical appearance. Considering Franklin is introduced to the player as a fresh-faced 25-year-old, and is now still only roughly 33, it’s little surprise that there’s been no other significant developments on this front.

Franklin’s Attire Changes In GTA Online

Having survived GTA 5’s explosive singleplayer story, whilst amassing a significant amount of money and influence at the same time, it isn’t all that shocking that the influx of wealth has allowed Franklin to update his wardrobe ahead of his multiplayer return. Considering that the character started his rise to fame wearing a basic shirt and jeans outfit, the tailored suit and jewelry he now sports is something of a departure.

Like Franklin’s manicured appearance, the character’s new expensive fashion taste also reflects the rags-to-riches hero’s journey that he undertook during the main game. Based on the fact that Franklin’s outfit is rounded out by a pair of traditional sneakers, presumably for situations where a quick exit is needed, fans shouldn’t be worried about the character taking a comfortable back-seat approach to crime, though.

Franklin’s Wider Circle

While admittedly not an aspect of the character’s outward appearance per se, the gang that Franklin found himself surrounded by during Grand Theft Auto 5 did at least play a significant part in the shaping of his personality. By the time that “The Contract” content takes place in GTA Online, Michael and Trevor are seemingly no longer prominently on the scene. Instead Franklin has gone into business on his own, creating the F. Clinton and Partner celebrity solution agency that the player will work for during their multiplayer shenanigans.

Franklin’s childhood friend Lamar is still on the scene to lend a hand, however, and has been joined by series newbie and hacker Imani. Chop the Rottweiler is also set to make a popular return to the universe of GTA 5, with the faithful companion having received a dignifying age-up to reflect his many years of loyalty to Franklin. Real-world celebrities DJ Pooh and Dr. Dre will also feature in prominent returning roles within the new content, with the former’s lost phone and unreleased music being the quest that draws the player’s character into Franklin’s orbit.

Grand Theft Auto Online is available now on PC, PS4, and Xbox One, with PS5 and Xbox Series X/S support coming in March 2022.

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