6 Shocking Movie Roles Mark Wahlberg Turned Down That Will Leave You Speechless!

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Mark Wahlberg is well-known as one of the most prominent figures in Hollywood. He first appeared on the big screen in the 1993 movie “Renaissance Man,” sharing roles with Danny DeVito. However, it was his performance in the 1995 film “The Basketball Diaries” alongside a young Leonardo DiCaprio that brought him acting acclaim. But it was his role in the 1997 hit “Boogie Nights” that truly elevated his Hollywood career to new heights.

Ever since then, I’ve graced the silver screen in a slew of blockbusters with hefty budgets, such as 2001’s “Planet of the Apes”, “The Italian Job”, and not one, but two “Transformers” movies. I’ve also snatched roles in critically-acclaimed dramas like “The Departed” and “The Fighter”, which garnered me Oscar and Golden Globe nominations respectively. Dabbling in comedy has been a blast too, with films like “Ted” and “The Other Guys” under my belt. In the world of cinema, Mark Wahlberg has truly left his mark. However, there are some coveted roles that this Hollywood titan has chosen to pass on throughout the years.

Of all the films that Mark Wahlberg has rejected, these 6 movies surprised us the most.

6
‘Ocean’s Eleven’

In a modern adaptation of the 1965 film “Ocean’s Eleven”, eleven highly skilled and eccentric criminals unite to execute an extravagant multi-million-dollar burglary in a Las Vegas casino, much like their predecessors did. Similar to its original version, this movie boasts an illustrious ensemble of A-list celebrities, such as George Clooney, Brad Pitt, Andy García, Julia Roberts, Don Cheadle, Casey Affleck, and more. Mark Wahlberg was initially set to join the cast, taking on the role of Linus Caldwell. However, he decided against it, allowing Matt Damon to take up the part instead.

Wahlberg opted to feature in Tim Burton’s 2001 revamp of “Planet of the Apes,” a choice that ultimately proved unfortunate. Instead, “Ocean’s Eleven” was a resounding success both critically and commercially, launching an entire series. While “Planet of the Apes” did well financially, it was met with disapproval from critics and audiences alike, prompting yet another restart for the franchise. Tim Burton’s singular film has since been labeled the black sheep of the “Planet of the Apes” saga.

5
‘Donnie Darko’ (2001)

The storyline of “Donnie Darko” revolves around a disturbed young man, who encounters unusual visions leading him to carry out questionable acts, all the while forewarning him about an upcoming catastrophe.

Mark Wahlberg was offered to star as the main character, but that seemed an unusual casting decision. However, the choice was even more surprising when Wahlberg himself declined the role. The actor insisted on portraying Donnie with a lisp, and he turned down the film when his unique creative idea didn’t align with the director’s vision. Eventually, Jake Gyllenhaal landed the part of Donnie Darko, which turned out to be his breakout role. Despite initially flopping at the box office, Donnie Darko has since gained cult status.

4
‘S.W.A.T.’ (2003)

This pulse-pounding thriller chronicles the journey of a SWAT team, as they transport an internationally wanted criminal to prison, with the added twist that he promises a substantial monetary reward to anyone able to break him out of police custody. The film “S.W.A.T.” appears to be the kind that a young Mark Wahlberg might have found appealing.

Initially, he was the preferred actor for the role of Jim Street, one of the SWAT team’s officers. However, similar to his decision in “The Black Dahlia,” Wahlberg declined this opportunity to take part in “The Italian Job.” Instead, Colin Farrell stepped into the role, joining Samuel L. Jackson, Michelle Rodriguez, LL Cool J, and Jeremy Renner on screen. Once more, Wahlberg’s decision proved to be wise. Despite its success at the box office, “S.W.A.T.” remake received a mix of positive and negative reviews from critics.

3
‘Star Trek’ (2009)

2009’s “Star Trek,” directed by J.J. Abrams, serves as a sort of reimagining of the “Star Trek” universe. This version is set in an alternate reality and features familiar characters from “Star Trek: The Original Series,” such as Captain James Kirk (played by Chris Pine) and Spock (Zachary Quinto). In this film, they traverse the vast expanse of space aboard the U.S.S. Enterprise, encountering challenges along the way. Notably, this version of events exists in a different timeline than previous movies and TV shows, preserving their integrity and continuity within their own separate narrative.

Mark Wahlberg turned down a small yet impactful part in the movie, portraying Kirk’s father, George Kirk. In an interview with Total Film, he explained, “I made an attempt to read the script, but I simply couldn’t grasp the words or dialogues; I said, ‘I’m not suitable for this.’ Looking back, he admitted his regret after watching the movie in theaters and seeing Chris Hemsworth playing George Kirk instead.

2
‘The Black Dahlia’ (2006)

The film titled “The Black Dahlia” delves into one of the most intriguing and long-lasting mysteries in American criminal history, which took place in 1947. This neo-noir thriller centers around two Los Angeles police detectives who are trying to solve the grisly murder of an aspiring actress named Elizabeth Short. The movie boasts a talented ensemble including Josh Hartnett, Scarlett Johansson, and Hilary Swank.

Initially, Mark Wahlberg and director David Fincher were involved in a project together. Wahlberg was intended to act alongside Hartnett as one of the film’s detectives, but had to withdraw due to time conflicts with another movie titled “The Italian Job“. Similarly, Fincher eventually departed from the project, stating disagreements over creative aspects with the film’s producers.

Eventually, Aaron Eckhart took over from Wahlberg, while Brian De Palma stepped in for Fincher. It was indeed a wise decision by Mark Wahlberg to step back from “The Black Dahlia”, as the film received harsh criticism and flopped at the box office. On the other hand, “The Italian Job” thrived both critically and commercially.

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1
‘Brokeback Mountain’ (2005)

Back in the day, Ang Lee’s masterpiece, “Brokeback Mountain,” stood out from the crowd. It delved into the intricate romantic journey of two cowboys traversing the American West for two decades. Can you believe it? Even the talented Mark Wahlberg turned down the chance to play Jack Twist, one of those cowboys, because he found the storyline a bit too unsettling. Whoa, that’s quite an interesting choice, Mark!

However, it wasn’t just Wahlberg who held this opinion. In fact, some viewers criticized “Brokeback Mountain” due to its portrayal of homosexuality. Nevertheless, the majority seemed to adore the film. This is evident in its impressive box office earnings – an astounding $178 million against a production budget of just $14 million. “Brokeback Mountain” made history as a trailblazer in LGBTQ+ cinema and received widespread critical praise for the performances of its stars, the late Heath Ledger and Jake Gyllenhaal.

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2025-06-07 22:02