Mark Wahlberg has turned down several movies throughout his career. One rejection still pains him to this day – back then, the actor had a good reason for it.
Mark Wahlberg’s career has had its ups and downs. Alongside really good films like Boogie Nights, The Departed or The Fighter, the actor has also made a few, let’s say, lower-quality flicks.
However, the interesting question is what Wahlberg did not film, even though he had the opportunity. In an interview with Total Film, he spoke about director J.J. Abrams and mentioned that he wanted him for a movie a few years back.
Specifically, it was for no less than the Star Trek franchise. Abrams was working on the reboot and offered Wahlberg the role of George Kirk, who is the father of the protagonist James T. Kirk.
Wahlberg turned it down for a simple reason and later regretted that decision.
Watch the trailer for another Star Trek classic: The Wrath of Khan.
The script caused difficulties
Why did Wahlberg decline? The problem was not the size of the franchise. After all, Star Trek is one of the biggest science fiction brands. No, Wahlberg was actually interested in the role. However, when he received and read the script, he was confused:
I tried to read the script, but I didn’t understand the words, the dialogues or anything else, and I said, ‘I can’t do this. I think you’re extremely talented, but I can’t do this.’
Mark Wahlberg via Total Film
So, it failed due to the understanding of the script. Wahlberg turned down J.J. Abrams, and he cast someone else in the role. The alternate casting is also far from an unknown in Hollywood, namely Chris Hemsworth, whom most know as Thor in the Marvel Cinematic Universe.
What did Wahlberg think about the rejection later? Abrams filmed without Wahlberg. When the actor later watched the finished movie, he was impressed. He felt that Abrams did a great job.
Today he regrets the rejection and says he wouldn’t let the opportunity to work with Abrams pass by again. Perhaps there will still be a collaboration in the future. Another actor also turned down a major role: Harrison Ford regrets turning down an important role – He could have received an Oscar for it in the end
