Military Movies - Military Times

Mark Wahlberg relishes intensity of ‘Max Payne’

Mark Wahlberg has come a long way from his Marky Mark days.

The former rapper — who can forget the Funky Bunch, no matter how we might try? — has long been a respected actor in a variety of roles, from porn star (“Boogie Nights”) to soldier (“Three Kings”) to detective (“The Departed,” for which he received an Academy Award nomination).

Next up: “Max Payne,” which opens Friday. Based on a video game, it allows Wahlberg to blast his way through a dark, freezing landscape, avenging the murder of his character’s wife and child.

Wahlberg spoke recently about the film, about “Entourage” (he’s an executive producer of the HBO comedy, which is loosely based on his life) and how he won’t be following in his brother’s footsteps.

Question: Have you ever played the video game “Max Payne” is based on?

Answer: I didn’t even know there was a game. I read the script, loved it and then they told me it was based on a video game. I freaked, because the games I grew up playing didn’t have any story whatsoever. But my, oh, how things have changed. Very elaborate stories, very cinematic. So it seemed very natural.

Q: What did you like about the script?

A: I was looking to do something that was a little more action, a little more intense. I’d just played a science teacher in “The Happening.” It was time to switch it up. I loved the script. I knew it was going to be interesting for me emotionally, thinking about something horrific happening to my family. But I thought overall it was the kind of movie I’d go and see, and I thought I could be good in it.

Q: The tragedy in Payne’s life allows him more leeway than other characters might have.

A: It gives me more license to go crazy, and people still root for me. I always look for something where I can kind of bust out and go wild. That really allowed me to do that. I wanted to pull the chainsaw out and start cutting down some of those evil trees.

Q: Did you do your own stunts?

A: Yeah, sure. After a movie like “Invincible” (in which he played a professional football player), they think I’m the bionic man. I told them that character wore pads and a helmet. I now have three children at home, so I’m not the thrill seeker that I used to be. But certainly, anytime there’s a remote chance that you’re going to be able to tell that it’s not me, I’ve got to get in there and do it.

Q: Any tricks to staying warm in freezing Toronto while shooting?

A: I immediately said, “Hey, John (director John Moore), I don’t think Max is too cool that he wouldn’t wear a hat and mittens or something.” That wasn’t going over well.

Q: Are you surprised “Entourage” has lasted so long and remained strong?

A: No. I always thought we were going to be able to go on as long as we wanted to, and that it would be a phenomenon. People thought that I was crazy. But I knew that ... people are fascinated with this world of Hollywood, and we’re still going for the traditional sitcom. You know, four friends, everybody can identify with one of them.

Q: Your brother Donnie got New Kids on the Block back together. Are you ever going back to music?

A: No. Not a chance.

Q: You don’t miss it?

A: I miss being irresponsible and not showing up for this interview, and, “Aww, (expletive) it, I don’t want to do it.” But that’s not good. That’s not going to get me anywhere. Making movies forced me to be disciplined and to behave myself. That’s exactly what I needed at that stage of my life.

Q: I guess you could do a play if you missed a live audience.

A: Exactly. And, you know, there’s nothing more thrilling than sticking it two feet from the hole on the golf course. I get just as much of a rush from doing that.