Mark Wahlberg, the versatile actor known for his roles in a variety of genres including comedies and action films, once revealed that he was deeply unsettled after reading part of a movie script, which led him to decline a role in a film that later became a landmark in cinema. Despite his nearly three-decade-long career, Wahlberg has passed on several significant roles, including one in the Oscar-winning movie “Brokeback Mountain”.
“Brokeback Mountain” is a film that spans two decades, from 1963 to 1983, and explores the complex relationship between two cowboys. The movie is regarded as a trailblazer for modern LGBTQ+ cinema. However, prior to its release, the film faced challenges in casting due to its controversial subject matter at the time.
In a 2007 interview with WENN, shared via TowelRoad, Wahlberg discussed his reasons for not participating in “Brokeback Mountain”, citing his discomfort with the script’s explicit content. “I met with Ang Lee on that movie, I read 15 pages of the script and got a little creeped out,” Wahlberg said. “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.”
While Wahlberg clarified that he was never formally offered the role, he wasn’t the only actor hesitant to take on one of the lead roles. Gus Van Sant, who was originally set to direct the film, told IndieWire in 2018 about the difficulty in casting the characters Jack Twist and Ennis Del Mar. “Nobody wanted to do it,” Van Sant said. “I felt like we needed a really strong cast, like a famous cast. I asked the usual suspects: Leonardo DiCaprio, Brad Pitt, Matt Damon, Ryan Phillippe. They all said no.”
The casting difficulties led Van Sant to step away from the project, which was then directed by Ang Lee. Lee’s direction earned him the Best Director award at the 2006 Oscars. Ultimately, Heath Ledger and Jake Gyllenhaal were cast as Ennis Del Mar and Jack Twist, respectively. (Universal Pictures) Both actors received Oscar nominations for their powerful performances in this critically acclaimed film.