THe displayed one kind of weaponry as Dirk Diggler in “Boogie Nights,” but on Friday, Mark Wahlberg breaks out the traditional variety in the gun-fu actioner “Max Payne.” In the film (based on a video game), Wahlberg plays a lethal cop who does to those who murdered his wife and child what the actor would probably like to do to anyone who mentions his rapper past.
But that was long ago. These days, Wahlberg is a father of three and has plans to marry his longtime girlfriend next year. He’s also an Oscar-nominated actor (for “The Departed”), executive producer of HBO’s “Entourage” and apparently someone whose autograph is worth a ton on eBay. While walking in Chicago and talking to The Post, Wahlberg is stopped numerous times for his John Hancock.
Fox hasn’t screened “Max Payne.” Have you seen it?
Yeah, I’ve seen it. It’s crazy. Wild. It’s everything we hoped it would be. We’re not trying to win the Academy Award, we’re trying to thoroughly entertain people. And I got to play a character that I really get to go off. I get to exorcise all those demons that I couldn’t in “The Happening” and “The Lovely Bones.” This is a very physical guy.
You’ve done both dramas and action films. Is there debate in your camp about which direction to go?
We’re always trying to do the complete opposite of what we did last time. After playing a science teacher or playing an accountant, it was good to get out there and go off a little again. I want to make movies that I want to see and I think people want to see me in.
Would winning the Oscar have changed your life?
It certainly wouldn’t have changed how I do things or how I make my decisions. I wouldn’t have all of a sudden moved to England and just start doing period pieces. You know, I do what I do. The part in “The Departed” was right up my alley and I received that recognition, but [prestige] was not my sole purpose.
we heard that you didn’t even know “Max Payne” was based on a video game at first?
No, I didn’t. Initially, there was a little bit of a red flag raised, and of course, I went and saw how intricate and elaborate the story was and how cinematic the game itself was. Seemed like it made perfect sense.
Do the “Entourage” writers hit you up for stories from your life?
Yeah, here and there. There’s nothing I’m going to own up to. They also take liberties and take from other people’s experiences in the business and try to come up with cool and interesting stuff. It’s all pretty realistic as far as Hollywood goes.
Did you give advice to your brother about rejoining New Kids on the Block?
No, he’s more than capable of doing his thing. But we talked about it a little bit, made sure he weighed out all the pros and cons. But he knows what he’s doing.
* Someone showed it to me on YouTube. It wasn’t like Tina Fey doing Sarah Palin, that’s for sure. And “Saturday Night Live” hasn’t been funny for a long time. They’ve asked me to do the show a ton of times. I used to watch it when Eddie Murphy was there and Joe Piscopo and Bill Murray. I don’t even know who’s on the show now.
* What’s not to like about golf? It’s a great getaway. It’s the most challenging game there is, but it’s very relaxing. You can lose the phone for four hours. I don’t have a favorite course, but certainly in the New York area there are some great ones. Winged Foot. I love Bethpage Black, I love the Trump course in Westchester, I love Westchester Country Club. It’s crazy because I grew up on the East Coast and I never played the game until I moved out to California. I never realized how many great courses were there.
* I’ve lost a little bit of money in the stock market. I’m not really a risk taker anyway. I work hard for my money, and I don’t expect anything else for free. I play it safe.
* I’ve always wanted to get married, but I was waiting for the right time.
* I like to just spend quality time together with my family. Go to the park, go to a play place, watch a movie, wrestle with my son, take my daughter to the American Girl Cafe. Just spend time.