‘First Trailer’: Mark Wahlberg and LaKeith Stanfield Star in Shane Black’s Heist Thriller ‘Play Dirty’

Play Dirty is shaping up to be a high-stakes crime thriller, and fans are already buzzing after the release of its first poster and trailer. The upcoming film is directed and co-written by Shane Black and is based on the Parker book series by Donald E. Westlake, written under the pen name Richard Stark.

Mark Wahlberg stars as Parker, the clever thief at the center of the story, while LaKeith Stanfield plays Grofield, another recurring character from the series. The cast also includes Rosa Salazar, Dermot Mulroney, Tony Shalhoub, Keegan-Michael Key, Nat Wolff, Chukwudi Iwuji, Thomas Jane, and Saskia Archer. Amazon MGM Studios will release the film on Prime Video on October 1, 2025.

It’s time to rob the robbers. Play Dirty, directed by Shane Black and starring Mark Wahlberg and LaKeith Stanfield, is streaming on Prime Video October 1. pic.twitter.com/R4tSVcxwSR

— Prime Video (@PrimeVideo) August 26, 2025

The story follows Parker as he takes on a major heist, facing off against a South American dictator, the New York mob, and the world’s richest man. “It’s Parker at his most daring, trying to outsmart some of the most dangerous people in the world,” a source close to production told reporters.

Development of the project began in March 2022, when Amazon MGM Studios teamed up with Shane Black and Team Downey. Black adapted the screenplay with Charles Mondry and Anthony Bagarozzi.

Producers include Susan Downey for Team Downey, Marc Toberoff, and Ezra Emanuel as co-producer. Joel Silver was initially attached as a producer but was replaced by Jules Daly in November 2023.

Originally, Robert Downey Jr. was set to star in the project, but Mark Wahlberg eventually took the lead role. In early 2024, LaKeith Stanfield joined the cast, followed by Rosa Salazar, Dermot Mulroney, Tony Shalhoub, and later Keegan-Michael Key, Nat Wolff, Chukwudi Iwuji, and Thomas Jane.

Principal photography began on March 19, 2024, in Sydney Harbour, with additional filming in Ku-ring-gai Council and the Hills District. In April 2025, Saskia Archer confirmed her role in the film.

Alan Silvestri was hired in February 2025 to compose the film’s score, promising a suspenseful and dynamic soundtrack to match the action-packed storyline.

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