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Red Dead Redemption 2 has a secret reference to a classic Western movie

Roger Clark, who played Arthur Morgan in Red Dead Redemption 2, revealed at C2E2 that a Shane reference was snuck into the game

A still from Red Dead Redemption 2 — Image credit: Rockstar Games

News by Jules Chin Greene, Staff Writer

Additional contributions by Ashley V. Robinson

Published on Wed May 28 2025

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The Red Dead Redemption series is full of touchstones to iconic Western movies, and it wouldn't be complete without at least one reference to Shane. That 1953 classic - which stars Alan Ladd as the eponymous gunslinger with a mysterious past - popped up in James Mangold's Logan, for crying out loud, and Quentin Tarantino lifted Shane's iconic shot of the axe resting in a tree stump and placed it in the opening sequence of Inglourious Basterds. Shane goes wherever men are dying.

Luckily for us, Roger Clark, the actor behind Arthur Morgan in Red Dead Redemption, has a sense of reverence for Shane. On stage at C2E2 2025, Clark revealed to host (and Popverse video producer) Ashley Victoria Robinson that he suggested they put in a reference to the ending of Shane in Red Dead Redemption 2.

"I was telling Rockstar Games - you remember, because Jack goes looking for Cain, you know there's a part in the game where that's the gang's dog, Cain - and I said to Rockstar, 'You've got a really good opportunity here. You could have Jack shouting the end of Shane. Cain! Cain! Come back, Cain!' And I think they did it but you can't really tell."

In case you're not familiar, the film Shane ends with a child screaming, "Shane! Come back!" while Shane rides away on his horse. There's a devastating quality to it that has made it so memorable. So while it's a bummer that Red Dead Redemption 2 didn't fully embrace the scale of the ending of Shane, it's nice that Rockstar still incorporated Clark's suggestion.

If you've ever been looking for another reason to replay Red Dead Redemption 2, here you go.

The gaming industry has come a long way since Pong blew all our minds in the 70s. We've got everything you need to know about the next big thing in games. Of course, Grand Theft Auto VI is going to be the big game of 2026, but there are plenty of other games coming out between now and then. Here is our starter guide for every gamer:

And be sure to check Popverse regularly for the latest gaming news.

About C2E2 2025

Comics, cosplay, gaming, authors, and anime abound in the only pop culture convention in the heart of Downtown Chicago! We've gathered your favorite celebrities, unique exhibitors, incredible comic creators, and larger-than-life literary authors into one place to celebrate the fandoms you love. From the halls of Artist Alley to the depths of the Show Floor, our goal is to provide a space of creativity and fun, but most importantly, one that cultivates a sense of belonging, safety, and inclusiveness.

Dates

Apr 11 - Apr 13

Location

Chicago's McCormick Place
United States

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Jules Chin Greene: Jules Chin Greene is a journalist and Jack Kirby enthusiast. He has written about comics, video games, movies, and television for sites such as Nerdist, AIPT, and Multiverse of Color.