Actor Roger Hill, who played Cyrus in the original film which the video game is based on, filed a lawsuit against Take-Two and Rockstar Games demanding $250k in damages for them using his likeness in the game without his permission.

In a statement from Rockstar Games, they said Rockstar Games "has a valid third-party license for the rights to use Roger Hill's likeness and the character of Cyrus in The Warriors video game and related marketing materials". Hill had been approached prior by Rockstar to provide his likeness and voice for the game, but declined to be involved.

Cyrus's voice in the game was instead provided by a sound-alike.