THE MARKET: “Max Payne” goes into wide release on Friday, October 17, 2008. How much will it gross in its opening weekend as first reported by Variety on October 20? Each dollar of the share price represents millions of dollars in sales. Shares bought at $45, for example, would be worth $78 if the movie grosses $78 million. Trading closes on October 17 at 9 a.m. ET.
THE DATA: Suffice it to say director John Moore is none too pleased that “Max Payne” has been slapped with an R rating. Mark Wahlberg, whose “The Happening” opened to $30.5 million despite terrible reviews and an R rating, takes the lead role.
OUR TAKE: Mark Wahlberg is a busy man: don’t forget that he’s also the mind who brought us “Entourage.” In his latest acting role, he calls Max Payne “the most layered” character he’s ever played. While the comic book adaptation genre has never been stronger, video game adaptations like “Payne” have a lousy record. Expect a disappointment along the lines of last year’s “Hitman” ($13m opening weekend). LEARN MORE: See the “Max Payne” home page.
“MAX PAYNE” CONTENT ON YOUTUBE: