This week, Apogee launched their latest Twitter giveaway, and this prize has a hefty backstory behind it. In the spotlight is an older version of the Max Payne film script from October 2007, described as the “original script” sold to FOX.
The idea for the giveaway prize was fuelled by the discovery of the script in the Apogee archives, along with some other sealed Max Payne merchandise. Rereading the script, the company's founder, Scott Miller, took to Twitter to reflect on the project, writing, “When the Max Payne film was released and I saw it day one in 2008, I was instantly disappointed and super upset. The story had changed dramatically from the original script we sold to FOX. The issue was that the film's director revised the script such that it no longer resembled the game's story.
"The FIRST RULE of making any film (or TV show) based on a game property is: DO NOT PISS OFF YOUR FANS with something that doesn't represent the IP they know and love. I let everyone around me know that the Max Payne film was a disaster, and totally changed script made no sense to fans and turned Max into a different character. I wrote an email to FOX with about a dozen key things wrong about the film soon after seeing it. I took no prisoners. It was such a blown opportunity by people who didn't understand the Max IP.
"But I think current Hollywood has reached a point of getting things right more often than not, so they'd likely be able to do Max Payne right if they tried again (trust me, go back to the original script). And brought in people like me and Sam Lake as consultants.
"The film made money, but I'm so glad they didn't make sequels based on the train wreck of that first film.
"BTW, I have that original film script and will be posting scenes from it soon. As part of their excavation into the archives, an exploration which has kindled many previous giveaways, the team has located a box of original 2001 mousepads that were included in the original big box edition of the game at launch."
The giveaway is now live, and all you have to do for a chance to win this piece of Max Payne history to enter is retweet THIS tweet, press the like button, and make sure to follow @Apogee_Ent. Do all three and you will be entered into their giveaway. Entry is open worldwide.
Apogee's giveaways tend to run for short bursts, and this one is no different. While a time is not given, they have announced that it will close this Thursday. So if you're thinking of entering, make sure to do it as soon as possible.
Max Payne original film script--first 4 pgs. This is from the script that FOX studio bought, but then it was greatly modified by the film's director.
— Scott Miller - Apogee/3D Realms Founder ☢️ (@ScottApogee) August 22, 2024
Screenplay by Beau Thorne:https://t.co/796ut0aUOl pic.twitter.com/BEvaYwKkJJ
Apogee & 3DRealms: Max Payne's publishing history from this time can get a little confusing. If you've heard of both Apogee and 3D Realms, but not sure what's going on, this part is for you. Founded in 1987 as Apogee Software, the company was focused on game publishing. As the industry started to change in the mid-nineties, and 3D titles became the focus, the studio created the dedicated internal group called 3D Realms. They had different names and different logos, but essentially it was the same company, similarly to how Remedy talks about their Northlight team. The two paths split off when Apogee (rights and logo) was sold in 2008 and 3D Realms (rights and logo) was sold in 2014 (and later sold again to Embracer). That's only the publishing side. If you're looking for the IP owners, that's Rockstar Games, and they are working with Remedy on remakes of their two Max Payne adventures.
