Source: Warner BrosMila Kunis portrays Mona Sax, the beautiful Russian mobster who teams with Max Payne, played by Mark Wahlberg, to avenge her sister's death. The role required an actress who had the ability to be tough, to be able to hold her own with Max Payne and be believable doing so. Kunis' casting was unexpected because she is best known for her comedy roles in the hit sitcom That '70s Show and the hit feature Forgetting Sarah Marshall.
"Mila just bowled us over," says director John Moore. "She wasn't an obvious choice, but she just wears Mona so well. She and Mark have terrific chemistry; they are a great hardball team in the movie, which is so essential. We needed someone who would not be just a fop or foil to Max; we needed somebody who had to be that character and convey her own agenda. I think Mila's just knocked it out of the park."
For Kunis, the role presented a chance to explore new territory as an actor. "I've always wanted to be in an action movie; I have a side to me that loves to kick butt," she says with a laugh. "Mona is fierce and feisty and not willing to play second fiddle to anyone. I'd say that she and Max are very evenly matched."
To help her convey Mona's formidable physical and weapons skills, Kunis underwent an intensive training program. By the end of her training period, Kunis made it seem like martial combat and weapons handling was something she'd been doing her entire life. "It's crazy," says Kunis. "I had never fired a gun before and here I am playing an assassin. But let me tell you, I'm really great at shooting guns now! The physical part of this film has definitely been fun. I did some boxing and a little bit of martial arts work."
One aspect of the character for which Kunis didn't have to train was speaking Russian. Kunis, who hails from that country, showcases her linguistic skills in a key scene in which she berates her troubled sister Natasha, played by Olga Kurylenko, another real-life Russian emigre. Kurylenko, who stars with Daniel Craig in the upcoming James Bond film Quantum of Solace, and Kunis grew up in neighboring towns but had never met until they reported to the set of MAX PAYNE.
Emerging as one of Hollywood's most sought after and engaging young actresses, the Russian-born Kunis has rapidly ascended into more and more major television and motion picture roles.
Kunis was most recently seen on the big screen in Judd Apatow's hit comedy, Forgetting Sarah Marshall, playing Rachael opposite Jason Segal, Kirsten Bell and Jonah Hill.
After learning to speak English at the age of seven, Kunis started her career in entertainment by landing several television commercials. She is best known for her roles on two of Fox's most successful shows, one of which is That '70s Show, playing Jackie Burkhardt, which earned her two Young Star Awards for Best Actress in a Television Series.
Additionally, she recently earned a Young Hollywood Award from Movieline magazine for the "One to Watch." She is also the voice of Meg on the hit Fox show Family Guy. Her other television credits include Seventh Heaven and Nick Freno: Licensed Teacher. Kunis starred as the young Gia on HBO's critically acclaimed and award-winning film, Gia.
Kunis' feature film credits include: American Psycho II: All American Girl; Get Over It; Krippendorf's Tribe; Honey, We Shrunk Ourselves; Boot Camp; Tony N' Tina's Wedding; After Sex; Tom 51; Santa with Muscles; and Make a Wish, Molly.
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