Mark Wahlberg was spotted on the set of his upcoming faith-based film Stu in Los Angeles on Thursday.
The 49-year-old actor filmed scenes at a motel in the heart of Hollywood, while rocking a retro ensemble and a handlebar mustache.
Just days before filming commenced, Wahlberg dished to late-night host Jimmy Kimmel that he plans to ‘gain 30 pounds’ for the role.
Filming: Mark Wahlberg was spotted on the set of his upcoming faith-based film Stu in Los Angeles on Thursday
Stu, which is about a boxer who has a spiritual experience and becomes a priest, is being written and directed by Rosalind Ross, with Wahlberg acting as executive producer.
According to Deadline, the detailed premise for Stu has been mostly kept under wraps, but the story is said to be ‘something very close to Wahlberg’s heart and something he had been developing for a number of years.’
During Thursday morning’s shoot, the Fear star was dressed in a brightly colored striped shirt and a pair of outdated-looking light wash denim jeans.
He had a bright red backpack over one shoulder and strolled around set in a pair of chunky white sneakers.
Retro: The 49-year-old actor filmed scenes at a motel in the heart of Hollywood, while rocking a retro ensemble and a handlebar mustache
True story: Stu, which is about a boxer who has a spiritual experience and becomes a priest, is being written and directed by Rosalind Ross, with Wahlberg acting as executive producer
When he was not in front of the camera, Wahlberg made sure to keep his mouth and nose concealed behind a face mask.
It was announced earlier this week that Jacki Weaver had also signed on for the project, as per Deadline.
With his thirty pound weight gain at the forefront of his mind, Wahlberg dished during Friday night’s episode of Jimmy Kimmel Live! that he is challenging himself to put on the weight over six weeks.
Challenge: Just days before filming commenced, Wahlberg dished to late-night host Jimmy Kimmel that he plans to ‘gain 30 pounds’ for the role
‘After we do the boxing scenes, I get to put on as much weight as possible over the course of the film, so I’m challenging myself to put on 30 pounds in the next six weeks,’ Mark said.
‘They want me to do it as healthy as possible and I’m like “Dude, I’ve been on such a regimen for so long, I just want to eat everything in sight,”‘ the F45 co-owner, who is known for his ripped physique, continued.
‘I want to go bakeries. I want to go to Denny’s. I want to get pancakes. I want to get everything I can possibly get my hands on.’
As seen in a recent interview with Jimmy Kimmel: The upcoming movie is called Father Stu, about a boxer who has a spiritual experience and becomes a priest
Acclaimed film: The role will be something of a return to form for Wahlberg, who scored a Best Picture nomination as a producer in 2010 for the David O. Russell film The Fighter
The role will be something of a return to form for Wahlberg, who scored a Best Picture nomination as a producer in 2010 for the David O. Russell film The Fighter.
Mark portrayed the titular character, boxer Micky Ward, in the movie.
Once he’s finished with Stu, Wahlberg will have to slim down or turn the 30 pounds of fat into muscle, when he takes on the title role in The Six Billion Dollar Man.
Once he’s finished with Father Stu, Wahlberg will have to slim down or turn the 30 pounds of fat into muscle: He will be taking on the title role in The Six Billion Dollar Man; seen in 2010
The action and sci-fi film is a feature reboot of the popular 1970s series about a robotically enhanced hero, The Six Million Dollar Man.
And while that project is in pre-production, the actor formerly known as Marky Mark has three other films in the works, along with multiple other movies as a producer.
One of those is called Arthur The King, about an endurance racer who adopts a stray dog.
Trademark physique: The action and sci-fi film is a feature reboot of the popular 1970s series about a robotically enhanced hero, The Six Million Dollar Man; Mark seen here in 2019