Mark Wahlberg has done a plethora of roles over the years. From horror to comedy movies to patriotic action films, Wahlberg has done it all. However, Wahlberg feels that this was by far the weirdest thing he had ever done.
Working alongside acclaimed director Michael Bay, the duo had a great time filming some of the Transformers movies. However, in 2013, the duo collaborated again on an iconic film titled Pain & Gain.
Mark Wahlberg Went Through a Lot of Pain for Pain & Gain
Dwayne Johnson, Anthony Mackie, and, Mark Wahlberg joined forces in 2013 to star in Michael Bay’s iconic film Pain & Gain. The film revolves around three friends who kidnap a wealthy businessman in hopes of extorting money.
It’s a different thing that their idiocracy makes the kidnapping 10 times more difficult but that’s how the movie goes. However, starring in Pain & Gain was something Mark Wahlberg had a very tough time dealing with.
Since he was portraying the role of a criminal in Miami, director Michael Bay wanted Wahlberg to get tanned. In an interview with Pulse Gamer, Wahlberg talked about his tanning sessions.
I don’t do anything really weird, in respect to gym routines. But, the weirdest thing and the most uncomfortable thing I’ve done was for this movie, having to get a spray tan every week. I don’t like the sun, it’s not good for me, but Michael insisted I be as tan as possible.
He further continued,
So, he’d make me get a spray tan. I’d do it on my balcony of my hotel room which was on the 17th floor! You would think you’d be free from all the cameras and paparazzi, and there I was getting photographed in my underwear getting a spray tan. Not a good look.
Despite the paparazzi shots and some people making fun of Mark Wahlberg, the actor was all too happy with how things turned out in the end. The story of the film was what drew Wahlberg to it in the first place.
Portraying the role of a criminal, with acclaimed director Michael Bay attached to the project, Dwayne Johnson, Wahlberg, and, Anthony Mackie loved the film and were ready to commit to the role.
Mark Wahlberg Loved The Story of Pain & Gain
Before he started making family and emotional films like The Family Plan and Arthur The King, Mark Wahlberg was obsessed with bodybuilding and gym exercises. When he heard the news that Michael Bay was making a movie called Pain & Gain, he became immediately interested.
As the interview further continued, the Ted 2 actor revealed that he wasn’t able to believe at first about the story of the movie. When he read in the news, Wahlberg contacted Bay for a role in the film and stated that he was prepared to do anything.
I thought the story was fascinating. I’ve had this fascination with body building from a very young age. I read the script before I read the articles and I said ‘There’s no way this can be true’.
He further continued,
But sure enough, most of these things happened. I read the script, met with Michael and said, ‘I will do anything to be in the movie,’
Although getting spray-tanned on the 17th floor might not have been on Mark Wahlberg’s mind, he was quite happy with how the movie (and his body) turned out to be.
Pain & Gain received a rating of 6.4/10 on IMDB and an average of 50% on Rotten Tomatoes. Despite the negative reviews, the 2013 film remains one of the most iconic movies of Hollywood.
Pain & Gain is available to stream on Netflix in the U.S.
