Mark Wahlberg’s upcoming crime thriller has opted to forgo a theatrical release and will release on streaming later this year. The heist film hails from the creative mind behindThe Nice Guys, who is set to release his first movie in seven years sinceThe Predatorflopped in theaters. Wahlberg is set to portray a fictional criminal that has been played by several notable movie stars over the past few decades.
According to The InSneider, Prime Video is preparing to releasePlay Dirtyon the platform on October 1. Shane Black’s new crime drama stars Wahlberg, LaKeith Stanfield (Atlanta) and Rosa Salazar (Alita: Battle Angel). The film follows a thief and his crew who come across a major heist that, per reports, pits them against “a South American dictator, the New York mob and the world’s richest man.” Wahlberg will portray Parker, the main character from the Donald E. Westlake novelThe Hunter, which has been adapted several times, including 1998’sPaybackstarring Mel Gibson.
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The neo-noir thriller follows a private detective seeking redemption for past sins.
Play Dirtyhas been in development since 2022, when Black partnered up with Amazon MGM Studios to write and direct the heist adaptation. While some of the most recent adaptations of Westlake’s work have not seen much success, including Jason Statham’s 2013 panned action thrillerParker, the latest filmcould find success on streaming. In addition to Wahlberg, Stanfield and Salazar, the cast ofPlay Dirtyfeatures Dermot Mulroney, Tony Shalhoub, Keegan-Michael Key, Nat Wolff, Chukwudi Iwuji, Thomas Jane, and Saskia Archer. Read a plot description provided by Deadline:
“InPlay Dirty, Wahlberg plays professional thief Parker, who after being double-crossed and left for dead, sees his hunt for revenge bring with it a shot at the biggest heist of his career. But even with the help of his partner, actor-slash-con artist Grofield (Stanfield), he’ll still need to outsmart a South American dictator, the New York mob and the world’s richest man if he hopes to stay alive.”
Play Dirtystars Mark Wahlberg in the lead role, marking his first collaboration with acclaimed filmmaker Shane Black. However, the directornearly reunited with another massive movie starfrom hisKiss Kiss Bang Bang days.Robert Downey Jr., whose production company, Team Downey, helped makePlay Dirty, nearly played the lead role of Parker. The Oscar-winningOppenheimeractor seemingly intended to continue working with Black afterIron Man 3, which released in theaters in 2013.
Of course, Downey Jr. did not ultimately end up starring inPlay Dirty, but it does go to show that the upcoming thriller has recruited top talent from the industry. That said, it is not surprising that Amazon is skipping a theatrical release. Not only have Black’s films struggled at the box office, but Amazon MGM Studios has not had much luck in that department either. An October 1 release date is quite soon, considering a first-look at the film has not been revealed. However, expect that to change shortly if the Prime Video streaming date is confirmed.
Source:TheInSneider,Deadline
Play Dirty
