Why Mark Wahlberg is Focusing on Family-Friendly Movies
By Movieguide® Contributor
As Mark Wahlberg has gotten older, he has focused more on his family – something that has carried over to his acting career.
“You know, I do enjoy doing things that the whole family can see. Look, I’m 52 years old now. I’m a dad of four. I’ve got a kid in college. I like playing age-appropriate roles,” Wahlberg told Yahoo! Entertainment. “I think a lot of [actors] don’t embrace that, and audiences are like – this doesn’t seem real.”
“There’s many different things that I think audiences frown upon and I want to do things that are believable and realistic,” he added.
Wahlberg’s commitment has been shown through his most recent string of movies, such as THE FAMILY PLAN and FATHER STU. He is continuing his family-friendly era in his newest movie, ARTHUR THE KING, where he plays Michael, an ultra-marathon runner. The movie is inspired by Mikael Lindnord’s true story.
“Over the course of ten days and 435 miles, and unbreakable bond is forged between pro adventure racer Michael Light (Mark Wahlberg) and a scrappy street dog companion dubbed Arthur. ARTHUR THE KING follows Light, desperate for one last chance to win… As the team is pushed to their outer limits of endurance in the race, Arthur redefines what victory, loyalty and friendship truly means,” a synopsis of the movie reads.
“[Mikael’s] probably one of the most selfish – and athletes have to be selfish in order to be successful – he’s a very selfish guy who did one of the most selfless things,” Wahlberg said. “And when he was so close and could literally reach out and touch the thing that always meant the most to him, he was willing to sacrifice that to save Arthur, [changing the] trajectory of his life forever.”
In playing the role, Wahlberg found himself humbled after a knee injury helped him better understand the difficulties of endurance sports.
“Look, it’s not any type of bodybuilding contest out there. It’s who can suffer the most and who can have the most mental fortitude and toughness,” Wahlberg said, explaining that he trained as if he were going to run an ultra-marathon race. “When I was doing it, it felt like I could actually be that part until one day when I tore my meniscus and all that went out the window.”
“So I got to understand the suffering a little bit more than I wanted to,” he added, per PEOPLE.
“Mikael just had a big smile on his face,” he continued. “Like, now you can actually get a taste of what it’s like to suffer out there because there’s no relief…The guys and the gals who can take the most are usually the ones who win.”
ARTHUR THE KING hits theaters on March 15. Check back for Movieguide®’s review.
Movieguide® previously reported:
ARTHUR THE KING creator Michael Brandt and director Simon Cellan Jones explain the heart behind the story and why audiences should watch the movie in theaters.
“You know, I’m from Sweden originally, and these things [don’t] happen to people like me. To write a book and now finally be here with the movie is surrealistic,” Brandt told Movieguide®. “To be honest, I can’t really digest it. I can’t really put the name of the feeling I feel right now besides [that] I am very proud. When I met the guys at the special screening yesterday with Simon and all those guys, I just felt a lot of happiness with what we have created together.”
Now more than ever we’re bombarded by darkness in media, movies, and TV. Movieguide® has fought back for almost 40 years, working within Hollywood to propel uplifting and positive content. We’re proud to say we’ve collaborated with some of the top industry players to influence and redeem entertainment for Jesus. Still, the most influential person in Hollywood is you. The viewer.
What you listen to, watch, and read has power. Movieguide® wants to give you the resources to empower the good and the beautiful. But we can’t do it alone. We need your support.
You can make a difference with as little as $7. It takes only a moment. If you can, consider supporting our ministry with a monthly gift. Thank you.
Movieguide® is a 501c3 and all donations are tax deductible.
Now more than ever we’re bombarded by darkness in media, movies, and TV. Movieguide® has fought back for almost 40 years, working within Hollywood to propel uplifting and positive content. We’re proud to say we’ve collaborated with some of the top industry players to influence and redeem entertainment for Jesus. Still, the most influential person in Hollywood is you. The viewer.
What you listen to, watch, and read has power. Movieguide® wants to give you the resources to empower the good and the beautiful. But we can’t do it alone. We need your support.
You can make a difference with as little as $7. It takes only a moment. If you can, consider supporting our ministry with a monthly gift. Thank you.
Movieguide® is a 501c3 and all donations are tax deductible.
