The original Xbox versions of Max Payne and Max Payne 2 are available now for Xbox 360 as Xbox Live Marketplace downloads, publisher Rockstar has announced.

Max Payne and Max Payne 2: The Fall of Max Payne cost 1200 MS Points ($15) each.

The Max Payne series, created and originally developed by Remedy Entertainment, is set to continue this winter with Max Payne 3, under development at Rockstar Vancouver.

Listings on the ESRB website suggest Max Payne and Max Payne 2: The Fall of Max Payne are headed to the Xbox 360, Joystiq has spotted.

This points to likely releases as downloable Xbox Originals, especially considering Remedy Entertainment's explodalicious noir-tinged third-person shooters are playable on the 360 through backwards compatibility--a prerequisite for an Originals release.

Publisher Rockstar recently announced Max Payne 3, under development for PC, Xbox 360 and PlayStation 3 at its Rockstar Vancouver studio.

Max Payne 1 & 2 will presumably be released for players to grimace and croak their favourite overwrought lines some time before Max Payne 3 arrives this winter.

The Mark Wahlberg-starring, John Moore-directed Max Payne feature film will arrive in DVD and Blu-ray form come January 20, High-Def Digest reports.

Released to theaters on October 17, the game-inspired flick was panned by reviewers, but topped the box office during its first weekend. Overall, the movie is said to have grossed $40 million in the domestic box office.

Director Moore had previously revealed that he was prepping a "Gamer Dedicated Cut" of the movie for its home release, explaining that the new version features "some extra sensibilities for people who really adore the game."

Despite some intial harsh words, 3D Realms founder and original Max Payne producer Scott Miller says he is "proud of this film" and believes it is one of "the best game-to-film efforts we've seen in the industry."

"Along with the first Tomb Raider, I think it's hard to argue that Max Payne isn't one of the best two adaptations yet," he explained to Edge Online. "This kind of opening [hitting number one at the box office] brings us a lot closer to the reality of a sequel."

Following Remedy Entertainment's 2001 debut of the action-shooting series arrived, 3D Realms and Remedy sold the property to Rockstar Games, which then published the 2003 sequel and, according to Miller, attempted to stop the film.

"After they bought the IP, [Rockstar] made serious attempts, including legal, to try to prevent this movie from being made, and were non-cooperative in providing materials that would help with pre-production," he revealed.

"It's a miracle it ever reached the big screen, and a testament to the committed efforts of Scott Faye and Julie Yorn, the two lead producers," Miller added. "A book could be written on the winding hazard-filled path this project took, through different studios, scripts, and even lawsuits."

As head of the studio that took a producer-like role in the original Max Payne, 3D Realms CEO Scott Miller knows Max very well. And he didn't exactly like the film, not unlike the zillions of Americans who paid a combined $18 million to see it and hated it.

This news story contains plot spoilers.

"There are several fundamental story flaws ... in the film that have me shaking my head in bewilderment," Miller told Edge. And those flaws start right at the beginning--or rather, what should have been the beginning... Read more

Despite panning reviews and an average rating of 3.7 / 10 on aggregate review site RottenTomatoes, the feature film adaption of the Max Payne video game series topped this weekend's North American box office by pulling in about $18 million.

According to estimates from analyst group Media By Numbers, the North American box office revenues for the weeekend's top 12 films were as follows:

1. Max Payne - $18 million
2. Beverly Hills Chihuahua - $11.2 million
3. The Secret Life of Bees - $11.05 million
4. W. - $10.55 million
5. Eagle Eye - Dreamworks and Paramount - $7.34 million
6. Body of Lies - $6.88 million
7. Quarantine - $6.3 million
8. Nick and Norah's Infinite Playlist - $3.9 million
9. Sex Drive - $3.56 million
10. Nights in Rodanthe - $2.68 million
11. Fireproof - $2.67 million
12. The Express - $2.27 million

Reviews for the Mark Wahlberg-starring Max Payne feature film adaptation have started coming in prior to the movie's October 17 debut, and despite some earlier praise, the results aren't pretty.

"I suffered through it, and you shouldn't have to...Nobody comes out of this thing looking good," reads Latauro's Aint It Cool News review, which later labels the film as "the year's most socially reckless movie" due to a plot twist near its end.

"It's so unbelievably dull, I'm struggling to find the energy to even write about it," the reviewer said of the flick's revenge-driven story. "The slow-mo option from the game may be great in that context, but looks fucking retarded in the film."

Another review, this one from Finnish outlet Suomen Kuvalehti, compares the John Moore-directed Max Payne to a movie from reviled director Uwe Boll, noting that "the choice between [Max Payne and a Boll film] is like deciding whether you want plague or tuberculosis, but if forced, I would say yes to Boll."

Furthermore, word from FilmThreat suggests that distributor Fox is... Read more

Chicago residents had the chance earlier today to meet up with Max Payne film stars Chris "Ludacris" Bridges and Mark "Animal Talker" Wahlberg, who were on hand to unveil local street artwork inspired by the upcoming movie.

Urban artists Zore, Rawfa, and Rogue have created three unique works in the Max Payne style that will be located throughout the city for a limited time. Wahlberg and Bridges showed up for a brief premiere of the pieces.

The exhibit was revealed at 2215 W. Lawrence Ave., between Ridgeway and Lawndale. If anyone runs across the artwork, be sure to send in pictures.

Valve today announced that the entire Rockstar Games collection will be discounted by 50% for this weekend only.

That puts the cost of Max Payne and Max Payne 2--the acclaimed slow-motion shooters from developer Remedy Entertainment--at only $5 apiece, or $7.50 for the two-game bundle.

Grand Theft Auto 3 and Vice City can also be had for a Lincoln, while San Andreas is marked down to $10. The entire slate of Rockstar titles can be had for a mere $30.

Max Payne film director John Moore has won his battle with the Motion Picture Association of America to secure a financially-advantageous PG-13 rating for the movie.

The violent video game adaptation starring Mark Wahlberg had initially been rated R by the MPAA. Following the decision, director Moore used strong language in a complaint to DasGamer while arguing the R rating was unjust when comparing Max Payne to similarly intense blockbusters.

"The Motion Picture Association of America gave The Dark Knight a PG-13 rating and basically sucked Warner Bros.' cock," said Moore at the time.

After Moore and his crew "trimmed some frames more for the sake of trimming frames," the MPAA reconsidered, and the film will now make it to theaters with the friendlier rating.

The director also announced he is planning a "Gamer Dedicated Cut"... Read more

John Moore, director of the upcoming Max Payne film adaptation starring Mark Wahlberg, has a few words to say about the Motion Picture Association of America--the United States' ratings group for films--and most of those words are profane.

"The Motion Picture Association of America gave The Dark Knight a PG-13 rating and basically sucked Warner Bros.' cock," Moore said to DasGamer, referring to the blockbuster film sometimes thought too dark for the PG-13 rating.

Moore's outburst stems from attempts to secure a PG-13 rating for Max Payne, which would theoretically allow for some mature content while avoiding the age restrictions and reduced revenues of an R rating.

"I have a serious amount of issues with the MPAA," he continued... Read more

Following up on the first two trailers, a third glimpse of the impending Max Payne film has arrived courtesy Yahoo, providing another tease of Hollywood's latest video game-to-film adaptation.

Inspired by the Remedy Entertainment-developed PC shooting series of the same name, Max Payne hits theaters in the United States on October 17.

The Hollywood adaptation of Remedy's action series Max Payne is almost upon us, and with that Hollywood has delivered an official theatrical trailer previewing the Mark Wahlberg flick premiering October 17th.

The trailer previews the film's gunplay and story, both of which draw heavily from the PC series, as well as hinting at Max's relationship with female assassin Mona, played by Mila Kunis.

Shacknews editor Chris Faylor expressed relief with the lack of... Read more

A new entry in the long-dormant Max Payne series and a new PlayStation 3 exclusive are both in development at internal Rockstar studios, going by the latest batch of rumors from print magazine EGM and sister website 1UP.

Max Payne 3 is apparently is development up at Rockstar Toronto, the studio responsible for the movie-inspired beat 'em up The Warriors. Considering the upcoming movie, a new game in the action-heavy shooting series would come as little surprise, though studio owner Take-Two has remained tight-lipped.

Originally created by Remedy Entertainment, the first Max Payne debuted in 2001. Publisher Take-Two then purchased the property from Remedy and producer 3D Realms in 2002, with a Remedy-developed sequel following in 2003.

A third game was teased at the end of the sequel's credits, though Remedy--currently at work on Alan Wake--soon noted that it was not developing the next Max Payne.

As for the new PlayStation 3 exclusive, the publication had little to offer, only noting that it is being helmed by Grand Theft Auto IV veterans Rockstar North.

20th Century Fox's film adaptation of the Max Payne video games made a big showing on the first day of the 2008 San Diego Comic-Con. Along with the release of two freshly printed one-sheet posters (above), actor Mark Wahlberg took to the stage for an open panel with co-star Mila Kunis and director John Moore.

An extended version of the recently released trailer was then shown to fans, as well as several clips from the film.

Garth Franklin at Dark Horizons broke down the series of events:

Director John Moore says that the video game adaptation uses a lot of subjective viewpoints with the camera to make the audience feel like they are Max Payne, thus they "kick the s**t out of the camera" throughout. The film uses a hard drive camera system called Phantom which can shoot up to 1000 frames per second, allowing for super slow motion shots.... Read more

The first teaser for the Mark Wahlberg-starring Max Payne movie was released early this morning. The film is currently slated to debut on October 17.

John Moore (Behind Enemy Lines, Flight of the Phoenix, The Omen) is directing the film, with a script penned by Beau Thorne, a first-time screenwriter.

Rounding out the cast is Beau Bridge as Payne's mentor B.B. Hensley, and Mila Kunis as the female assassin Mona.

The adaptation of the M-rated Max Payne series has been described as suitably dark by those involved in the project, though the film is apparently shooting for a PG-13 rating.

"The movie is PG-13," said cast member Kunis in a recent interview with ReelzChannel. "It's incredibly dark. You still get the gist of it. The only different between R-rated and PG-13 is you might not see as much blood."

Vertical Limit and Batman & Robin star Chris O'Donnell (pictured left) has joined the cast of the game-to-film adaptation of Max Payne, reports Entertainment Weekly.

Though O'Donnell will play an executive named Jason Colvins, his exact role in the film, including how or if it relates to the story of the original game, is currently unknown.

Today's revelation marks the fourth major cast member to be unveiled, with Mark Wahlberg playing Max Payne, Beau Bridge serving as his mentor B.B. Hensley, and Mila Kunis as a female assassin--a character known as Mona in the two games.

Directed by John Moore (Behind Enemy Lines, The Omen), penned by freshmen writer Beau Thorne, the film is currently shooting in Toronto. No release date has been set.

Despite the expected surge in the franchise's popularity, property owner Take-Two has remained mum on the possibility of another Max Payne game.

The Wizard and Charlotte's Web veteran Beau Bridges (pictured left) has been cast in the upcoming game-to-film adaptation of Max Payne, according to The Hollywood Reporter.

In the film, Bridges will play B.B. Hensley, who acts as Max Payne's mentor. Max Payne will be played by Mark Wahlberg, with Mila Kunis portraying a female assassin attempting to avenge her sister's death--a character known as Mona in the two games.

No release date has been announced for the movie, which is currently shooting. It is being directed by John Moore (Behind Enemy Lines, The Omen) and was penned by freshmen writer Beau Thorne.

Despite the expected surge in the franchise's popularity, property owner Take-Two has remained mum on the possibility of another Max Payne game.

Publisher Take-Two dodged questions about a possible sequel to the Max Payne franchise of action titles during a financial conference call held this afternoon.

"It's a little early to comment on any particular title but we have a lot of interesting things going on," a Take-Two representative said when asked about the potential of future Max Payne titles. "What's the saying? We will sell no wine before its time."

The last entry in the Remedy-developed franchise, Max Payne 2: The Fall of Max Payne, arrived on PC, PlayStation 2 and Xbox in 2003. An adaptation of the series is currently being filmed for cinematic release, with Mark Wahlberg starring as Max Payne himself and Mila Kunis as Mona. The movie is set to be released this October.

During the call, Take-Two, which owns the Max Payne property, made repeated references to reviving past notable Rockstar properties, though it failed to specify any particular franchise.

Over at Primotech you can find a Q&A with Diego Jiménez of the 7th Serpent TC for Max Payne 2. The recently released first chapter can be found at FileShack.