From being the lead singer and rapper in his band Marky Mark and the Funky Bunch to becoming one of Hollywood’s most popular leading men, Mark Wahlberg has had an eventful journey to superstardom. While Boogie Nights was his big breakthrough into the industry, the celebrity has done the gamut of roles over many years in many genres including action thrillers, dramas, romances, and comedies.
In 2008, Mark Wahlberg starred in M. Night Shyamalan’s The Happening, one of his first trysts in the horror genre. Unlike Shyamalan’s strong debut with The Sixth Sense, this film did not find favor at the box office with Wahlberg himself openly expressing his regret at accepting the part which saw the Shooter star involved in some cringeworthy scenes.
The Happening Haunted Mark Wahlberg For Many Years
In 2008, Mark Wahlberg and Zooey Deschanel starred in M. Night Shyamalan’s The Happening, a story about a family’s struggle as America is swept by a mysterious toxin in the air that causes people to kill themselves. Despite Shyamalan’s forte lying in the horror and supernatural realm, the film tanked at the box office with Wahlberg’s performance also coming under criticism for a few scenes including The Departed star talking in all seriousness to a killer plant.
With the film receiving severe backlash, Mark Wahlberg too expressed his regret on signing the film by openly calling it a bad movie. During the promotions of The Fighter in 2010, the celebrity even told his co-star Amy Adams who was originally considered for Zooey Deschanel’s role in The Happening, that she was fortunate to have missed being part of the debacle.
Mark Wahlberg Almost Did Not Accept The Departed
While Mark Wahlberg’s career may have benefitted by him not appearing in The Happening, the actor almost made a fatal error of judgment by letting go of his marquee role in The Departed directed by Martin Scorsese. The award-winning gangster drama featured a glittering ensemble cast that included Jack Nicholson, Matt Damon, Leonardo DiCaprio, and Martin Sheen among others. This Oscar-winning film also earned Mark Wahlberg his first acting nomination for his memorable performance as the tough, truth-seeking Sergeant Dingam. But the Boogie Nights star was initially not keen to take up this role. Speaking in an interview to GQ, Wahlberg said,
“I wanted a different part, and I wanted some other different things. They sent me on a plane over the weekend to Marty’s office. I told Marty I didn’t want to do it.”
Scorsese though, used his persistence and influence to make the Transformers actor aware of his Boston connection which was also the city the film was based in, while also giving Wahlberg full freedom to improvise and create the nuances of the character to suit his style. Ultimately, the actor’s acceptance to be part of the film turned out to be the best decision all around.
Source: The Independent
