Everyone wants a piece of Max Payne star Mark Wahlberg.
At least that was the playful mood at a news conference over the weekend in Beverly Hills, Calif., in which Wahlberg's co-stars took pleasure in poking fun at the rapper party boy-turned-family man and serious actor.
"I've already said what attracted me to the project was being able to point a gun at Mark Wahlberg and get away with it and live to tell about it today," Chris "Ludacris" Bridges told reporters. "So, you know, that's definitely why I signed on to do this movie. Just to point a gun at this man."
"I thought he liked me," Wahlberg said, drawing laughs.
What did co-star Mila Kunis, the only girl in the movie, like? "I just really wanted to beat Mark up, and I did, and it was really great," she said, eliciting more laughs.
"I'm a parent," Wahlberg said in his defense.
"It was really empowering," Kunis said. "I got a lot of my anger out and angst and, yeah, that's it."
OK, so they were kidding. Mostly.
Wahlberg, for his part, got his licks in as well. In the movie, based on the video-game franchise, Wahlberg plays the title character, a rogue cop who is out to find the killers of his wife and baby daughter. Bridges plays an internal-affairs detective on Payne's trail. Kunis plays Mona Sax, a Russian mobster who finds herself Payne's unlikely ally.
This story continues below the image.
Max Payne (Mark Wahlberg) and Mona Sax (Mila Kunis) team up to battle powerful and dark forces in Max Payne. (Michael Gibson for Fox)
Bridges, Beau Bridges (no relation), Wahlberg and Kunis spoke with reporters at the Beverly Hilton Hotel on Oct. 12. Following is an edited version of the first part of the news conference. The second part will post on Oct. 15. Max Payne opens Oct. 17.
Mila, this is your first kick-butt action role. Did you enjoy the clothes, the guns and the training? Was it different for you?
Kunis: I didn't enjoy the clothes very much. I enjoyed the guns, and I enjoyed the training a lot.
What did you have to do?
Kunis: I had weapons safety [training], and then ... [director] John [Moore], for some reason, made me learn how to take an MK5H apart and put it back together blindfolded. I really don't know why, but I now know how to do that in case anyone wants it. I liked shooting the gun a lot more than I thought I would. I think I like that. The clothes sucked. Oh, my God, it was awful. Mark was like bundled up in jackets and wetsuits and coats and turtlenecks, and I was in a leather bustier and black pants and 5-inch heels.
Chris Bridges: Well, it looked good. It was sexy.
Wahlberg: She needed to understand actor safety. She's swinging that stick at me like a wild person. You're not supposed to hit somebody in the movies.
Kunis: You kind of liked it.
Wahlberg: It's just make pretend. Only I get to hit for real.
Kunis: OK, OK. ...
This story continues below the image.
Russian mobster Mona Sax (Mila Kunis) prepares to battle those responsible for the death of her sister. (Michael Gibson for Fox)
For each of you, can you talk about what attracted you to this project and what you enjoyed most about making this film? ...
Chris Bridges: I'm just messing with him, but, honestly, I try to pick those diverse roles and things that I haven't done before. This is my first time getting a little piece of the action and then playing on that side of the law. You know, I love surprising myself, and of course everyone else that watches, so Jim Bravura, internal affairs agent, my first time actually playing that role, and [I] enjoyed doing it. It was actually written for a 60-year-olive episode, Andy Samberg performed a sketch called "Mark Wahlberg Talks to Animals."]
Wahlberg: You know what? It's flattering. It wasn't obviously as funny as the Tina Fey/Sarah Palin thing, so I don't know. Maybe it's a little jab because I've refused to do the show so many times, but I don't know. Yeah, it was funny. "Say hi to your mother for me" is my new catchphrase, even though I never really said that before, but I'll take it and run with it. No, it was not as funny as Hot Rod the movie, but the kid's got to do what he's got to do to make a living. I ain't knockin' it. It's all good.
