Actor Mark Wahlberg is reportedly in talks with Twentieth Century Fox to star in an upcoming live-action adaptation of the bestselling Rockstar videogame “Max Payne.”

Mark Wahlberg began filming “The Lovely Bones” for director Peter Jackson and DreamWorks only a couple of weeks ago and he is already making plans for the following film.

Variety reports that the 36-year-old actor is negotiating with Twentieth Century Fox to play Max Payne, a New York police officer haunted by the tragic loss of his family. According to the trade paper, Max has “little regard for rules as he investigates a series of mysterious murders” but he finds himself the target of an adversary that is determined to destroy him.

The film’s script was written by Beau Thorne. Julie Yorn is producing through Firm Films, along with Scott Faye. John Moore will direct. He has previously directed “Behind Enemy Lines,” “Flight of the Phoenix” and “The Omen” for Fox.

Variety reports that Moore is also is developing a live-action adaptation of the Virgin Comics title “Virulants” for Fox and New Regency.

Wahlberg made headlines in late October when he took over actor Ryan Gosling’s part in “The Lovely Bones” within a matter of hours. Gosling had signed for the project and had gained considerable weight as well as grown a beard especially for the role.

He reportedly left the project one day before shooting was scheduled to begin, and Wahlberg signed the contract the following day. He plays a grieving father in Peter Jackson’s adaptation of the Alice Sebold novel. He joins Academy Award nominated actress Rachel Weisz, who plays the grieving mother.

Wahlberg recently wrapped filming in the M. Night Shyamalan-directed “The Happening” for Fox. He stars alongside Zooey Deschanel in the sci-fi thriller scheduled for a Friday, June 13, 2008 release.

Wahlberg, nominated this year for an Academy Award for best supporting actor due to his portrayal of a police detective in Martin Scorsese's critically acclaimed thriller, “The Departed,” has also signed to star alongside Brad Pitt in “The Fighter.”