Maxed out: An open interview with actor Mark Wahlberg
While I did not have the pleasure of seeing Max Payne last weekend, I did manage to talk to actor Mark Wahlberg on the phone about it during a conference call with two other college journalists. Wahlberg was funny, down to earth and extremely easy to talk to. I only wish I'd remembered to ask if there would be a Marky-Mark/Ludacris rap album coming out for Christmas. Below are our questions and his answers.Q: Have you ever played the video game Max Payne, and if so, how did this inspire you in the role?
Mark Wahlberg: I have not. I actually read the script before I found out there was a video game. I got my assistant to play, who is a gamer, and I was amazed at how elaborate the story was, how cinematically pleasing it was. They've been trying to make it into a movie for a while, but the Matrix movies kind of ripped off the bullet time, so they wanted to do something fresh and different. Now the technology is changing . we are able to capture things a thousand frames per second, we are able to do something different and new.
Q: Is it refreshing to return to a heavy-duty action role?
MW: I just read and loved the character, you know. After doing The Happening, where I play a science teacher kind of scared of trees, and The Lovely Bones, I wanted to go off, I wanted to bust some heads. I am a father, so I put myself in that headspace, and the thought of something horrific happening to my beautiful family is enough to make me go bananas.
Q: Was there any particular preparation for getting physically and mentally ready for this role?
MW: Physically, I've been training to do this boxing movie for two years now, so I was in shape, and I've done a lot of stuff with weapons in the past - movies like Shooter - so that was easy. I had to go to that dark place and stay there for the entire time, so my kids didn't understand why, when I came home to visit, I was hugging them to death. You know, I had to think about my family being killed, and it's not a fun place to be. I am just happy that I came out with my sanity.
Q: Being a father, you have played a lot of violent and adult roles. Do you think you will continue to play these roles once your children grow, or will you explain it to them in a certain way?
MW: There are some roles I have accepted that were questionable, especially Boogie Nights. I think you can bash somebody's face and explain that; but once Daddy starts getting naked and doing weird sex acts, it gets a little crazy. I try to keep those films away from my kids. It's so weird - my son is two and half years old, and he already knows the word paparazzi. So at the right time, I will explain it to them. I am more worried about having to explain running around in my underwear and all the crazy stuff I do with music. I want them to be in college like you guys, not running around the streets at 13 like what I was doing. I have a big responsibility, and believe me, I am committed 110 percent to raising my kids the right way. So I am aware of the factor that I have a lot of explaining to do.
Q: Do you have any regrets for choosing to act in a certain movie or turning down a good role?
MW: No, I don't think I have ever turned down a role and regretted it. I have made some films that I'm not too proud of, but at the time, my reasons were good and pure - especially early on. Even though I didn't necessarily love the script or the part, if you get an opportunity to work with guys like Tim Burton and Jonathan Demme, your career will be greatly benefited. I learned so much from those guys and have taken so much from those experiences. If you have a resume and 50 percent of your films were good, then you're set. I think I have a lot better than 50 percent.
Q: Are there any future projects you are currently signed on to do?
MW: Well, I did The Lovely Bones with Peter Jackson; he is the greatest director of all time. I mean, the guy is a genius. Hopefully I will be doing The Fighter with Darren Aronofsky next year at some point.
Q: What is the greatest action movie of all time?
MW: That's a really tough one. There are so many. I think the first one that came to mind was The Fugitive. It was a great story, groundbreaking action at the time (like with the train crash) and the first to really use CGI [computer-generated imagery]. I'm also a big fan of the old John Woo movies.
Q: Finally, do you have any interest in working behind the camera, possibly as a director?
MW: I would love to direct. I have been watching all the people that I have worked with closely. Peter Jackson actually asked me if I wanted to direct and I said, "Yes! Why do you think that?" Jackson said he could tell by the way I approached scenes and the questions I asked. But after seeing some of The Lovely Bones, I know that I have a lot to learn.
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