No Payne No Gain

Another popular video game is being readied to make a live action leap to the big screen with a star almost in place to play the title character...



Michael Fleming of Variety:

Twentieth Century Fox has Mark Wahlberg in the crosshairs for "Max Payne," a live-action adaptation of the bestselling Rockstar video game that will begin early next year. John Moore will direct.

Wahlberg is negotiating to play the titular cop who is haunted by the tragic loss of his family and has little regard for rules as he investigates a series of mysterious murders. He finds himself up against an adversary bent on destroying Max and the streets he protects.

The script was written by Beau Thorne. Julie Yorn is producing through Firm Films, along with Scott Faye.

Wahlberg will make the film after he completes "The Lovely Bones" for director Peter Jackson and DreamWorks. He recently starred for the studio in the M. Night Shyamalan-directed "The Happening," which will be released next summer.

Moore has directed "Behind Enemy Lines," "Flight of the Phoenix" and "The Omen" [remake]. He also is developing a live-action adaptation of the Virgin Comics title "Virulents" for Fox and New Regency.

Truth be told--until this article--I was unaware of the premise behind the "Payne" game franchise...But it sounds like a retread of The Punisher, which itself is based on a comic book.

Wahlberg makes a good fit and even looks like his computer generated counterpart. Still though I would have preferred that he landed the starring role as G.I. Joe.