Mark Wahlberg is known for his action-packed roles, but his latest movie, Arthur the King, challenged him in more ways than one. The actor spoke to ET about the film, which is based on a true story of an adventure racer who befriends a stray dog during a race in the Dominican Republic. Wahlberg also revealed how he injured himself on the first day of shooting, how he felt about wearing spandex for the role, and how he needs his wife’s permission to go on a real adventure with Bear Grylls.
A True Story of Friendship and Survival
Arthur the King is inspired by the book Arthur: The Dog Who Crossed the Jungle to Find a Home, written by Mikael Lindnord, the Swedish racer who adopted the dog after their incredible journey. Wahlberg plays Lindnord, who leads a team of racers, played by Simu Liu and Nathalie Emmanuel, across 435 miles of rugged terrain. Along the way, they encounter a scruffy dog, whom they name Arthur, and who becomes their loyal companion.
Mark Wahlberg said he was drawn to the story because of its emotional impact and its message of hope. “It’s such a beautiful story about this guy who’s kind of lost his way and he finds this dog and this dog kind of gives him a new perspective on life,” he said. “And it’s also a story about how we can all make a difference in the world, whether it’s adopting a dog or helping somebody in need.”
The actor also praised his canine co-star, who was trained by Mark Forbes, the same trainer who worked with the dog from John Wick. “He was amazing. He was so smart, so well-behaved, so loving,” Wahlberg said. “He would do anything for a treat. He was just a joy to work with.”
A Grueling Experience and a Painful Injury
To prepare for the role, Mark Wahlberg had to undergo a lot of training and research. He said he wanted to look the part and pay attention to the details, since the film is based on a real person and a real event. He also had to learn how to bike, kayak, run, and zipline, which are some of the activities that the racers do in the film.
However, things took a turn for the worse on the first day of shooting, when Mark Wahlberg tore his meniscus, a piece of cartilage in the knee joint. He said he went to a doctor immediately and was warned that he could cause serious damage if he continued filming. But Wahlberg felt obligated to finish the movie, since it took a long time to get it off the ground and they were in the middle of the COVID-19 pandemic.
“So I just kind of toughed it out and I found different ways of getting through,” he said. “So I got to understand the suffering a little bit more than I wanted to.”
Mark Wahlberg:A Spandex Outfit and a Cameo by Bear Grylls
One of the things that Mark Wahlberg did not enjoy about the role was wearing spandex, which is what the racers wear under their gear. He said he never thought he would put on a superhero suit or spandex, and he had to shave his legs for the role. “It still hasn’t come back,” he joked.
Another surprise in the film was a cameo by Bear Grylls, the famous survivalist and adventurer, who appears as himself in the movie. Wahlberg said he was a fan of Grylls and his shows, and he would love to go on a real adventure with him someday. However, he said he would need to get permission from his wife, Rhea Durham, whom he has been married to since 2009 and with whom he shares four children.
“If I get permission from my wife, yes,” he said. “She’s the boss.”
Mark Wahlberg also admitted that he got in trouble with his wife on Valentine’s Day, after he believed her when she said they should not do anything for the holiday. Mark Wahlberg said he usually sends flowers from each child leading up to Valentine’s Day, and a big bouquet from himself. But this year, he skipped the tradition, only to find out that his wife had a card, three gifts, and rose petals for him in the bathroom.
“So, I tried to figure it out. I did have the flowers coming anyway and a card. We were supposed to go on a trip, so hopefully she’ll still go with me,” he said.
Arthur the King is set to hit theaters on April 7, 2024. Watch the trailer below:
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