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" of the film, as he explained to GameDaily:

There's what I call the Gamer Dedicated Cut of the movie. It's a little slower and a little more atmospheric. There are some rougher edges on it, but it's not going to be a bloodfest. I want this to be the Max Payne that I set out to shoot. It's not that I wanted to release one version in the theaters and make a cheap buck by following up with a blood-drenched DVD version. The movie you see in the theaters will be an intense experience and the movie you see on DVD will be as intense an experience with some extra sensibilities for people who really adore the game.