NEW YORK — In “The Gambler,” Mark Wahlberg plays professor Jim Bennett, a teacher of literature by day and gambler by night. His debt causes him to borrow money from his mother (Jessica Lange) and a loan shark (John Goodman) while he romances a student (Brie Larson).
“It’s a very unapologetic character that is brutally honest,” he says. “We knew this guy wouldn’t be totally likable, but people would love him anyways. I know audiences will want to go on a journey with him.”
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COMING UP ‘Entourage’ (June 5) Wahlberg says: I was the one pushing it uphill and leading the charge to get it made. I play a small part. I just saw a cut and I was blown away. It’s 90 minutes of pure joy and bliss, and it looks like an $80 million movie. Sequel talk: The studio loves it so much, they want us to start writing the next one. Breaking news: As the trailer reveals, Chicago native Jeremy Piven is on fire as agent Ari Gold. ‘Ted 2’ (June 26) Wahlberg says: I didn’t want to do the first ‘Ted.’ I thought it was the dumbest idea ever. Then I was forced to sit down and read the script. I knew it would be one of the great buddy comedies of all time, but I never figured it would be the biggest R-rated comedy of all time. Sequel talk: This is my first official sequel. But the sequel is its own thing, with humor and heart. Breaking news: Wahlberg’s kids have seen me fight with Ted with no sound. They thought me getting my ass whipped was the funniest thing ever. But watching it with sound? Yeah, buddy, not happening. My wife would kill me.
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Why is Wahlberg drawn to difficult street guys? “I’ve always rooted for the bad guys in films and I’ve always liked the complex underdog,” he says. “I could never relate to the perfect guy who has it all figured out.
“The troubled guy is the kind I grew up with and loved while watching movies with my dad. I saw ‘Hard Times’ with Charles Bronson when I was 7 and loved it.”
Related: Richard Roeper reviews “The Gambler”
He uses his tough-guy persona to help kids in Boston stay clean through the Mark Wahlberg Youth Foundation.
“I want city kids to realize there is a whole world out there that doesn’t revolve around drugs, gangs and negativity,” he says. “I want them to know that if I can overcome what I faced and the mistakes that I’ve made and have a productive life, then hopefully they can, too.”
It’s well known that Wahlberg did some jail time for a mistake he made as a teen. “I used to feel a little upset about certain celebrities taking on causes that don’t personally affect them. I mean, I can understand that they feel compassion. I’d rather talk about what’s going on in my own backyard,” he says. “I’ve lived those tough situations kids are facing today on the streets.”
Wahlberg is facing a packed 2015, including producing and playing a small role in the much-awaited “Entourage” movie, out June 15. He’s also prepping for “The Six Billion Dollar Man,” which shoots later this year, as does “Ted 2.”
He has fond memories of making last summer’s “Transformers” on our streets. “Chicago is one of my favorite places to be, and the movie was one of the rare occasions that I’ve been there in the winter and summer. I wasn’t digging the cold, but it was gorgeous during the summer.
“I’ll never forget finishing up work early in Chicago and then sitting out on my terrace at Trump Tower. Plus, my kids had such a blast in Chicago just hanging out by the lake. My wife even came back for a visit to go shopping.”
He logged some time with the Bulls on their turf, playing hoops with Jimmy Butler. “I scored a three-pointer on him and he lost our game,” says Wahlberg with glee. “He wasn’t happy about it. And we played hard.
“We even traveled to Europe together, and I really admire the way Jimmy conducts himself on and off the court. He’s mature and committed to doing the right thing.
“I wish I had his character when I was his age.”
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