Mark Wahlberg’s new heist thriller,Play Dirty, receives a Prime Video release date and reveals its first image. Co-written anddirected by Shane Black– best known forIron Man 3,The Nice Guys, andThe Predator(2018) – the upcoming crime thriller follows a thief attempting a high-stakes heist that pits him against a South American dictator, the New York mafia, and the wealthiest man on the planet.
In addition toWahlberg in the lead role, the cast also includes Oscar nominee LaKeith Stanfield (Judas and the Black Messiah), Rosa Salazar, four-time Emmy winner Tony Shalhoub (Monk), Emmy winner Keegan-Michael Key (Key and Peele), Nat Wolff, DCU and MCU star Chukwudi Iwuji, Thomas Jane, and Saskia Archer.
Now, viaCollider’s Exclusive Preview event,a first-look image fromPlay Dirtyhas been revealed, showing its two stylish leads, Wahlberg and Stanfield, on their way to their next mission.Play Dirtypremieres on Prime Video on October 1. Check out the image below:
What This Means For Play Dirty
Play Dirtyis based on the Parker series of novels written by Donald E. Westlake under the pen name Richard Stark, specifically the first installment in the series,The Hunter(1962). In turn,Play Dirtywill serve as the third film adaptation ofThe Hunterafter John Boorman’sPoint Blank(1967) and Brian Helgeland’sPayback(1999).
The most recent take on the series arrived in 2013, when action starJason Statham stepped into the titular role inParker. Now, Wahlberg will be the latest actor to play Parker on screen, alongside LaKeith Stanfield as Grofield, another recurring character in Stark’s novels. Like past adaptations,Play Dirtyfollows Parker as he attempts a high-stakes heist.
To pull off the job, he assembles a talented crew that includes Grofield and Zen (Rosa Salazar) to help navigate the danger. Described as a “gritty, clever caper,” the story blends elements from the original novels and follows the team’s efforts to outsmart the powerful forces determined to bring them down.
Our Take On The Play Dirty Image
Judging by the first-look image,Play Dirtyappears poised to carve out its own identityapart from past adaptations,Point BlankandPayback. John Boorman’s 1967 adaptation leaned into avant-garde noir, while Brian Helgeland’s 1999 version was bathed in cold and brutal revenge.
Shane Black’s version appears to be grounded in a more stylish grit, as Wahlberg and Stanfield stride through a modern urban sprawl with a casual confidence. The duo’s fashion choices alone, including Wahlberg’s classic leather jacket, suggest a slicker take that could balance tough-guy swagger with offbeat comedy.
Given the director’s signature style that blends crime and comedy,Play Dirtycould finally deliver an adaptation that leans into entertainment value without losing its edge. Wahlberg and Stanfield’s chemistry could echo the same vibeseen inThe Nice Guys. If Black brings that same energy here,Play Dirtymay be the best adaptation of its source material yet.
