Mark Wahlberg Wants To Focus On Family, Not Movies

Published: May 9, 2022

Mark Wahlberg Wants To Focus On Family, Not Movies

By Movieguide® Contributor

Mark Wahlberg is one of Hollywood’s biggest stars, but he recently shared that he’s been thinking about stepping away from the spotlight.

When asked about when he might retire from acting, Wahlberg said, “Sooner rather than later, probably.”

The main reason he’s considering retirement? His children. Wahlberg said that being away from his kids for long stretches of time is hard on him.

“[A project’s] gotta be something special to really bring me, you know, to leave home, to leave those guys behind,” Wahlberg said. “Because it’s the biggest sacrifice in the making for sure.”

The actor also talked about his latest project, FATHER STU, and what making the movie meant to him.

“I feel like this is starting a new chapter for me in that, now, doing things like this — real substance — can help people,” Wahlberg shared. “I definitely want to focus on making more. I wouldn’t say necessarily just faith-based content but things that will help people. So, hopefully this movie will open a door for not only myself but for lots of other people in Hollywood to make more meaningful content.”

Movieguide® previously reported on Wahlberg’s latest role in FATHER STU and his commitment to creating faith-based content:

In a recent interview with Fox News, Mark Wahlberg reflected on his life, faith and upcoming biopic, FATHER STU.

“Probably the most unpredictable movie ever,” Wahlberg said of the upcoming theatrical release based on the life story of boxer-turned-priest Father Stuart Long. The movie is the directorial debut for Rosalind Ross and stars Mel Gibson alongside Wahlberg.

Wahlberg is candid about his Christian faith, a theme that drove the real-life Father Stu.

Wahlberg said that people need movies that champion faith and hope in today’s era of uncertainty.

“It’s just about finding the right story to tell at the right time. You know, these movies are not easy to get made,” he said.

“God has continued to bless me and put me in this situation not to continue to grow and work on Mark Wahlberg the person, but to do His work and finally, giving me the skills and tools to go out and articulate the message He wants me to articulate,” he added.

The LONE SURVIVOR actor hopes that the movie will encourage young men to trust God and pursue what He calls them to do in their life.

“People need to have faith and hope. Young men need to know what it’s like to be a real man. And you could list a million reasons – just turn on the news, anywhere you look there are reasons for encouraging people to have faith and to have hope,” Wahlberg said. “I didn’t know we’d be releasing this movie in a pandemic; I just knew that I needed to make this movie, that this was my calling, this was my mission and now it’s needed more than ever. Hopefully it will help a lot of people.”