7 Major Movie Roles Mark Wahlberg Walked Away From

Mark Wahlberg’s rise from music star to Hollywood heavyweight is a story of bold choices and blockbuster success. With hits like Transformers , The Departed, The Fighter, and Ted under his belt, Wahlberg has become a force at the box office and on streaming platforms. Yet, his selective approach to roles has led him to pass on several films that could have dramatically shifted his career trajectory.

Turning Down Superheroes and Action Franchises

When Joel Schumacher took over the Batman series, Wahlberg was in discussions to play Dick Grayson, also known as Robin, in Batman Forever. Although he never received an official offer or tried on the costume, he later admitted he was relieved not to have landed the part.

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

Wahlberg explained that he admired Schumacher’s work but wasn’t interested in that kind of project. The role ultimately went to Chris O’Donnell, and Wahlberg has yet to join a major superhero franchise.

He also passed on the chance to play Jim Street in the action-packed S.W.A.T., a film that featured a star-studded cast including Samuel L. Jackson and Colin Farrell. Wahlberg chose instead to appear in The Italian Job, believing it was the better fit for him at the time. S.W.A.T. still managed to pull in over $200 million at the box office.

Missed Opportunities in Iconic Films

Wahlberg was considered for the role of Brian O’Conner in the first Fast & Furious film, a part that eventually went to Paul Walker. The chemistry between Walker and Vin Diesel became a defining element of the franchise. Wahlberg’s commitments to other projects, including Planet of the Apes, kept him from joining the high-octane series.

He was also in the running to play Donnie in the cult classic Donnie Darko. Director Richard Kelly revealed that Wahlberg wanted to portray the character with a lisp, a creative choice that didn’t align with Kelly’s vision. The role went to Jake Gyllenhaal, whose performance helped the film achieve cult status.

Franchise Roles That Got Away

Wahlberg later expressed regret over turning down the part of George Samuel Kirk Sr. in J.J. Abrams’s Star Trek reboot. He admitted that the technical jargon in the script left him confused, leading him to pass on the opportunity.

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 ultimately took on the role, marking his entry into major Hollywood franchises.

In 2001, Wahlberg was offered the role of Linus Caldwell in Ocean’s Eleven , but prior commitments to other films led him to decline. The part went to Matt Damon, who became a staple in the trilogy alongside George Clooney and Brad Pitt. Wahlberg later reflected that, while the movies he chose instead didn’t become hits, the experiences were valuable for his growth as an actor.

Challenging Scripts and Unconventional Roles

Perhaps the most talked-about role Wahlberg turned down was Jack Twist in Brokeback Mountain. The film, which broke ground for LGBTQ+ representation in Hollywood, was too graphic for Wahlberg’s comfort at the time.

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 role went to Jake Gyllenhaal, who earned a BAFTA for his performance. Wahlberg later clarified that Ang Lee never officially offered him the part.

These missed opportunities highlight the unpredictable nature of Hollywood careers and the tough choices actors face when deciding which roles to pursue.