Mark Wahlberg and Riz Ahmed Face Off in Netflix’s ‘The Big Fix’

Mark Wahlberg, known for his knack for action-packed roles, is gearing up for another adrenaline-fuelled project. This time, he’s set to headline ‘The Big Fix’, a crime thriller for Netflix, with Riz Ahmed joining him on screen. The film, helmed by Baltasar Kormákur, draws inspiration from a true story that rocked the world of football, involving a massive match-fixing operation run by organised crime.

Production is tipped to kick off later this year, adding another big title to Wahlberg’s already busy schedule. The script comes from Guy Bolton and Justin Haythe, promising a tense, globe-trotting ride. Wahlberg’s character, a former Interpol officer now working in a bureaucratic role at FIFA, stumbles upon a sprawling international scheme to rig football matches for huge profits. He soon finds himself on a high-stakes mission to track down those responsible and put a stop to the racket.

High-Stakes Cat-and-Mouse Across the Globe

The story centres on a relentless pursuit between two determined men. Wahlberg’s ex-cop is pitted against a savvy hustler, played by Ahmed, who’s teamed up with Chinese Triads to manipulate games and rake in millions. As the two circle each other, the film promises a “high-octane, globetrotting cat-and-mouse thriller,” with both men refusing to back down.

“The Big Fix follows a former Interpol cop in a bureaucratic role at FIFA who uncovers an international match-fixing scandal and launches a high-stakes mission to stop whoever is behind it. His target: a passionate hustler who joins forces with Chinese Triads to earn millions rigging football games across the world. As they start to circle one another, a high-octane, globetrotting cat-and-mouse thriller ensues — pitting two defiant, determined men against each other.”

Kormákur, who’s producing alongside Peter Chernin and David Ready, is no stranger to action. He and Wahlberg have worked together before, and their previous films have been box office hits. The pair first teamed up on ‘Contraband’ back in 2012, and later reunited for the buddy-cop flick ‘2 Guns’.

Wahlberg and Kormákur: A Proven Partnership

The Wahlberg-Kormákur partnership has a solid track record. ‘Contraband’ pulled in over $96 million worldwide on a modest budget, while ‘2 Guns’ raked in more than $130 million. Their knack for delivering crowd-pleasing action is well established, and fans are likely to be keen for their latest outing.

Interestingly, Kormákur nearly directed Wahlberg in ‘Arthur the King’, but scheduling clashes got in the way. Now, with ‘The Big Fix’, the stars have finally aligned for another collaboration. Netflix and Chernin Entertainment are backing the project, eager to build on their recent work with Kormákur, including the survival thriller ‘Apex’.

Netflix’s Next Big Crime Thriller

With a script based on real events and a cast led by two heavyweights, ‘The Big Fix’ is shaping up to be a must-watch for fans of tense, action-driven stories. The film’s focus on the dark underbelly of international sport, combined with the proven chemistry between Wahlberg and Kormákur, sets the stage for a gripping ride.

As production gears up, punters can expect a film that blends high-stakes drama with the kind of action sequences that have become a trademark for both the director and his leading man. If their past successes are anything to go by, this new thriller is bound to draw plenty of attention when it lands on Netflix.