More Mark


This came over the web today and Datalounge was buzzing about it:

Mark Wahlberg is glad filmmaker Ang Lee passed over him when he cast Brokeback Mountain, because the Oscar nominee was "a little creeped out" at the prospect of having to play a gay cowboy. The Departed star reveals he and pal Joaquin Phoenix were originally considered for the roles of Ennis Del Mar and Jack twist in the 2005 film - but both felt uncomfortable about sex act scenes in a tent. Wahlberg explains, "I met with Ang Lee on that movie, I read 15 pages of the script and got a little creeped out. It was very graphic, descriptive - the spitting on the hand, getting ready to do the thing. "I told Ang Lee, 'I like you, you're a talented guy, if you want to talk about it more...' Thankfully, he didn't." The parts eventually went to Jake Gyllenhaaal and Heath Ledger and, though Wahlberg feels it's a film he must see, he has yet to watch Brokeback Mountain. He adds, "I didn't rush to see Brokeback, it's just not my deal... Obviously, it was done in taste -look how it was received."

28/02/2007 03:50

Well, it's safe to say that many an ostensibly heterosexual male might have reacted the same way and there probably was a period in Wahlberg's life when he might have become violent regarding the suggestion. Those who know his history are angry about this revelation. More than likely Ang Lee thought better of casting him because he was too old to play it. Many are very happy that Heath Ledger became Ennis Del Mar in an interpretation that stays with the viewer well after having seen it.

It has taken a while for Wahlberg to get there and the time is yet to come when that kind of sensitivity will be his. He is still the same actor discussed in yesterday's post and the above statement is not as hurtful as it seems. It should not be required that every man embrace the notion of anal intercourse. It might be better for Mark and anyone else on the same page to remember that heterosexuals perform creepy sexual acts, anal intercourse among them.

Wahlberg will become an even greater actor when he starts to focus on the less creepy aspects of life.

He's still accomplished much. If he needs help accomplishing more, there are more than a few gay male fans who would be willing to help.

Comments

Pookie said…
I think, more to the point, that Mark Wahlberg wasn't capable of the role. Ang Lee is an intelligent director who recognises that any actor who approaches a role with a personal prejudice will fail to convince the audience that he is the character.

Knowing your prejudices and being able them drop them when you pick up a script is what separates the great actors from the good ones.

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