16. Niko Is Based On The Henchman From Behind Enemy Lines
The GTA series has always drawn extensively from the world of film and general pop culture: just look at how Vice City was essentially one long (or not so long, if you're speed-running it) homage to Brian de Palma's Scarface. If you thought GTA IV's protagonist Niko Bellic was an entirely original creation, however, think again, because Niko was in fact influenced by Vladimir Mashkov's henchman character Sasha from the 2001 Owen Wilson-starring action flick Behind Enemy Lines. So prominent was the influence that Mashkov was even offered to voice Niko, but turned it down because at the time he didn't take GTA seriously. Either way, this little tidbit is pretty much the only reason anyone will remember that thoroughly mediocre film.
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General video game, TV and film nut. Occasional sports fan. Full time loon.
