Mark Wahlberg’s Biggest Film Roles He Walked Away From

Mark Wahlberg’s journey from music to the big screen has been nothing short of impressive, with his name attached to some of the most successful blockbusters in recent years. He’s made a mark in everything from action-packed franchises to comedies, but his path could have taken a very different turn if he’d said yes to a few key offers. Over the years, Wahlberg has knocked back several roles that might have sent his career in a whole new direction, including a shot at playing a superhero and joining some of Hollywood’s most iconic ensembles.

Superhero Near-Miss and Action Flicks

When Joel Schumacher took the reins from Tim Burton for the Batman series, he was on the lookout for a new Robin. Wahlberg was in the mix to play Dick Grayson in ‘Batman Forever’, but as he explained, he never got an official offer and wasn’t too fussed about missing out.

No, we met. We met quite a few times. We talked about it [but] I never got the official offer.

He later admitted he was actually relieved not to get the part, saying he wasn’t really interested in that sort of project. The role went to Chris O’Donnell, and while the film copped mixed reviews, it still did well at the box office.

Wahlberg also turned down the chance to play Jim Street in ‘S.W.A.T.’, a film that boasted a star-studded cast including Samuel L. Jackson and Colin Farrell. Instead, he chose to work on ‘The Italian Job’, a decision that arguably paid off, but it’s interesting to imagine how his presence might have changed the dynamic of ‘S.W.A.T.’, which pulled in over $200 million worldwide.

Franchise Opportunities and Cult Classics

Rob Cohen’s first ‘Fast & Furious’ film considered a few big names for the role of Brian O’Conner, including Wahlberg, Christian Bale, and Eminem. Wahlberg was a strong contender after his turn in ‘Boogie Nights’, but he was already tied up with other projects, notably Tim Burton’s ‘Planet of the Apes’. The part eventually went to Paul Walker, whose chemistry with Vin Diesel became a defining feature of the franchise.

Wahlberg was also in the running for the lead in ‘Donnie Darko’. Director Richard Kelly revealed that after Jason Schwartzman dropped out, they met with several actors, including Wahlberg.

We met with Vince Vaughn four times, but he wasn’t comfortable playing 16. Mark Wahlberg was in the running, too. But Jake Gyllenhaal had just starred in October Sky and carried the whole movie. Though not a household name, he clearly had talent.

Wahlberg reportedly wanted to play the character with a lisp, which didn’t sit well with the director, and the role ultimately went to Gyllenhaal, who made it his own.

Missed Ensemble Casts and Sci-Fi Regrets

In 2009, Wahlberg was offered the role of George Samuel Kirk Sr. in J.J. Abrams’ reboot of ‘Star Trek’. He later admitted he regretted turning it down, especially after seeing the finished product. The reason? He couldn’t get his head around the technical jargon in the script.

I tried to read the script, but I couldn’t understand the words or dialogue or anything, and I said, I couldn’t do this. Then I saw the movie. I went, ‘Holy sh*t, [Abrams] did a great job.’

Chris Hemsworth ended up taking the part, and the film went on to win an Oscar for Best Makeup.

Wahlberg’s late ’90s success meant he was offered a spot in ‘Ocean’s Eleven’ as Linus Caldwell, but he was already committed to other projects. He later reflected that, even though those films didn’t turn out as hoped, the experiences were valuable for his growth as an actor. The role went to Matt Damon, who appeared in all three films in the series.

Turning Down Groundbreaking Drama

Perhaps the most talked-about role Wahlberg passed on was Jack Twist in ‘Brokeback Mountain’. The film, directed by Ang Lee, broke new ground in Hollywood for its portrayal of a romance between two cowboys. Wahlberg admitted he was put off by the script’s graphic content.

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 part went to Jake Gyllenhaal, who won a BAFTA for his performance. Wahlberg later clarified that Lee never actually offered him the role during their meeting.

These are just a few of the major films Wahlberg could have been part of, each one a missed opportunity that might have changed the shape of his career—and perhaps the films themselves.