HOLLYWOOD TAKES THE PAYNE

Max Payne movie lands in the lap of 20th Century Fox

12:26 20th Century Fox is to deliver a movie based on Remedy Entertainment's stylish bullet-time spectacular Max Payne, the Hollywood Reporter is, er, reporting.
Apparently the Max Payne film will focus on the origins of the character, with the suggestion being that the twisting plot we know from Remedy's original PC hit will be fleshed out - but to what extent is currently unknown.

You'll recall that in the game Payne, who it was quipped bore an expression like he was eternally attempting to curl a particularly stubborn one out, was a man with 'nothing to lose' who went on a revenge rampage after his wife and child were brutally murdered.

There's no date for the film's planned release as yet, and of course we're feverishly trying to think of suitable actors who could step into Payne's shoes. Clint Eastwood would've been a cinch if we could turn back the dread hand of time, but he's probably a bit long in the tooth right now.
But what do you think? Any ideas on actors who could dish out the Payne? Let us (and Remedy) know in the forums below.

Stuart Bishop

so who do you think would be suitable for the part of Max Payne?

I wonder who they would cast as Mona Sax.

who would you reccommend?

Max...
Bruce Willis (with hair).

Mona... mmm
I think Angelina Jolie...

its funny, isnt max payne loosely based on/linked to the Sin City comic books which in turn already has a movie out based on them?

Uh, no he's not anything like reeves?

Willis and Ford are too old.

Thomas Jane would be terrible.

I would tend to agree. If Mickey Rourke possessed Clive Owens body, we'd have the perfect candidate

Mickey Rouke would be just as bad.
Anyone taller than six feet with an overly muscular physique would be mis-cast.

I reckon Clive Owen woule be awesome. He's done the "cool hardcore guy" role before, and he looks exactly like Max Payne. Mickey Rourke sure has the ideal attitude and vibe, but not sure about the looks, and he may be too old.

I would tend to agree. If Mickey Rourke possessed Clive Owens body, we'd have the perfect candidate

I remember a few years back Peter Berg, then attached to direct the film version of the video game “Splinter Cell”, asked me who I’d think would make a great Sam Fischer (the gung-ho hero of the film). I threw a few names his way (he got a kick out of my suggestion to cast against type and give Hector Elizondo the role – it was, of course, a joke) but by the end of the conversation, I realised the “Friday Night Lights” helmer wasn’t so much looking for suggestions as much as he was looking for backing. You see, he already had a guy in mind - and from the sounds of it he was a stamp and envelope away from an offer – but he just needed to hear someone else say ‘Mark Wahlberg would make a great Fisher’.

I didn’t come out and say it. Though I said he’d probably work. The reason I didn’t automatically think of Wahlberg is because, well, it seemed like a very unimaginative choice. Do you know what I mean?

Half the reason “The Bourne Identity” worked so well was because nobody ever expected Matt Damon to play that kind of role; same with Gerard Butler and “300”.. People expect to see six-pack adorned Wahlberg in an action role. I personally thought he should shake it up… go for something different… maybe cast an Eric Bana or a Brendan Fraser or a, heck, Michael Keaton, in the part. But I know only too well how the business works – it’s all about names, attachments and whoever can get cheeks in seats – so I totally understood why Marky Mark would’ve been atop of his list.

And again, I understand why Twentieth Century Fox jumped at the chance to cast Wahlberg as video-game character Max Payne in the new film they’ve got John Moore (“The Omen”) directing. Wahlberg looks like a video-game hero… it makes sense… yep, as uninspired as that casting is… and he’ll most likely help make the film a big hit.

Variety says Wahlberg has a couple of non-action pics to finish first – including the Shyamalan thing – and then he’ll head on over to the “Payne” lot.

Oh, and just for the record, “Splinter Cell” is dead for the moment – Berg left the project months ago, as did writer (or rather, co-writer… as I believe Berg was helping) J.T Petty. Don’t know why… all I can assume is that Berg went to the studio with my casting pick for Fischer…. Hector Elizondo.