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Actors, rappers or both? That’s the question uniting “Max Payne” co-stars Mark Wahlberg and Chris “Ludacris” Bridges.
Over the last decade-plus Wahlberg has worked to put the memory of Marky Mark and the Funky Bunch behind him with celebrated film roles including “Boogie Nights,” “Three Kings” and “The Departed.” Meanwhile, Bridges has built his reputation with Grammys and multi-platinum albums, supplemented by occasional acting gigs (“Crash”; “Fred Claus”).
No music skills are necessary for their roles in “Payne.” Wahlberg plays the title character, a cold case cop out to avenge the murder of his wife and child, while Bridges lends support as Internal Affairs Lt. Jim Bravura, who treats Max as a suspect but doesn't let suspicions stand in the way of hunting for the truth.
Metromix talked with both about acting vs. rapping, what it means to be a sex symbol and, yes, the slim chances of a Funky Bunch reunion.
So, who would win in a fight between Max Payne and Lt. Bravura?
Mark Wahlberg: [Nobody beats] Max Payne. I get shot 50 times and I'm still [going]. I want to die and they won't let me die!
Chris "Ludacris" Bridges: Not only is he invincible but the emotional baggage that he's carrying at this particular point in his life from his family dying, that pretty much gives you the strength of 10 men. So I don't think Jim Bravura stands a chance against Max Payne.
MW: But we're glad that we had the edgy tough Jim Bravura that we had, 'cause originally it was written for a 60-year-old white guy. So it would be some guy on a respirator trying to get up the stairs of a building.
I'm sure Chris is the second choice for most roles that are written for old white men.
MW: "Jack Nicholson's not available? All right, bring in Luda!"
What's the coolest thing you got to do in "Max Payne" that you've never done before?
CB: This is my first real action movie, so me pointing a gun at Mark Wahlberg was the greatest thing ever.
You've never done that before?
MW: He did that the first time I met him.
Bravura begins the film with a close eye on Max. If you two were really investigating each other, what would you try to find out?
CB: I already asked a series of questions to try and find out how big his house was and how many acres he has. So I'd be trying to find out about his gyms…so I can duplicate the same things in my house.
MW: Mine is more scientific. I'm trying to figure out how long those earlobes are gonna hold up with those earrings before they start wiggling against his shoulders.
Chris, how do you compare your rapping skills to your acting skills?
CB: I think they're very similar. Very versatile.
MW: He's one of the few—in my opinion, the only one—who is very good at both in a real respected way. Will Smith is the biggest star in the world; He's a fantastic actor, and he was a good rapper, but I don't think he was a great rapper. And I think [Chris] has the potential to do both.
Mark, how about you?
MW: I'm the best actor alive, period! [Laughs] It don't matter about the rapping. I used to be pretty damn good, but that's [a long time ago].
Do you laugh off the term "sex symbol"? Have you ever seen yourself that way?
MW: When I was 19, 20 and they were just throwing it at me, I was taking it. But it's not a good thing. My friends always want to hear old stories. I'm like, "Trust me, man. I'm just glad I'm alive. Danger out there." … We were at the radio station [today] and this girl walked by. The next thing you know she had all these posters [saying], "I love you, Luda!" I mean, how'd she know he was going to be there?
CB: I'll be a sex symbol to the right women. Whatever they need me to be, I'm there for 'em.
Mark, what goes through your head when you watch your first videos?
MW: A little cringing. [Laughs] I like to look to the future and not dwell on the past. It's all part of who I am, so it's all fine. But I don't want my kids seeing my first music video and going, "Daddy, what the fuck are you doin'?"
Well, your brother Donnie's back with New Kids on the Block. What would have to happen to get Marky Mark and the Funky Bunch back together?
MW: Hell would have to freeze over. The market would have to crash another 50,000 points.
You never know these days...
MW: Someone would have to chop my left leg off. No, you know what? It's just not in the cards for me. But I wish them the best.
