GERMANY: Mark Wahlberg becomes dark revenger in "Max Payne"

Record ID: 859233

  • Title: GERMANY: Mark Wahlberg becomes dark revenger in "Max Payne"
  • Date: 18th November 2008
  • Summary: COLOGNE, GERMANY (NOVEMBER 14, 2008) (REUTERS-ACCESS ALL) (SOUNDBITE) (English) MARK WAHLBERG WHO PLAYS MAX PAYNE, SAYING "I was looking to do an action movie, and the more intense and the more grim the better for me. And this character was also driven by emotion which was very appealing, it was not just a sense of Shoot 'Em up action movie."
  • Embargoed: 3rd December 2008 12:00
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  • Location: Germany
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  • Country: Germany
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  • Reuters ID: LVAKOC1S0XRBA0Z0SXUCZG1TKJ
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  • Story Text: Wahlberg speaks to Reuters about his latest role. When Mark Wahlberg first read the script for his new film "Max Payne," which debuts in German theatres on November 20, he didn't need much persuading to take on the title role. "I was looking to do an action movie, and the more intense and the more grim the better for me"; Wahlberg told Reuters on Friday (November 14). "And this character was also driven by emotion which was very appealing, it was not just a sense of Shoot 'Em up action movie."
    The star of recent crime dramas "The Departed" and "We Own the Night," said he was looking for something like and "Max Payne," in which he portrays a cop seeking vengeance for the brutal murder of his wife and child, was just the ticket.
    The movie is based on the popular "Max Payne" videogames, and while the actor agrees that most games don't translate well to the big screen, he is confident "Max Payne" will deliver the goods for both movie fans and gamers."

    "I didn't know there was a game Max Payne until after reading the script" said Wahlberg. "And then I went and checked it out and realised that games have changed a lot since I was a kid. I grew up playing Pacman, games like that, that have no story whatsoever. I didn't know how they could make a video game into a movie, I thought it was impossible. Then I went and looked at the game and realised that I am an old, old man, technology has changed quite a bit."
    The movie has a strong supernatural element, too, as much of the time Payne must deal with people who are under the influence of a strong drug that causes hallucinations.
    Moreover, Payne is no one-note action hero, he is driven by emotion and the horrific death of his family, which makes him identifiable for audiences and for Wahlberg, who has three children of his own.
    Life is good for Wahlberg right now, professionally and personally. He stars in widely-anticipated upcoming film "The Lovely Bones"
    directed by "Lord of the Rings" filmmaker Peter Jackson, and his position as executive producer of HBO hit "Entourage" brought him success outside acting.
    Moreover, the Oscar-nominated star (supporting actor for 2006's "The Departed") is now the father of two boys and a girl with his longtime girlfriend Rhea Durham, whom he plans to marry next year.
    The native of Boston grew up in a large family himself. While his children are allowed to play video games, Wahlberg said he preferred them not to: "When they are older, when they are 18, they can do what they want.
    Not completely do what they want, I'll still discipline them if I have to. I think the Wii game is okay, because they have to be a little more active. But I would like my kids to be outside playing sports, running around being active, stuff like that."
  • Copyright Holder: REUTERS
  • Copyright Notice: (c) Copyright Thomson Reuters 2011. Open For Restrictions - http://about.reuters.com/fulllegal.asp
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