Friday, September 21, 2012

Mark Wahlberg talks about the Entourage movie

In this clip from Hollyscoop, Mark Wahlberg says that the script for a movie version of "Entourage" is done and the cast will begin shooting the movie next spring.

Thursday, September 20, 2012

Pittsburgh Post-Gazette's interview with Mark Wahlberg

The Pittsburgh Post-Gazette interviewed Mark about his GNC project and his latest movies. Here is the article:

Actor, producer, health enthusiast Mark Wahlberg encourages others to determine their own destiny

When it comes to his own music, Mark Wahlberg jokes, "I try not to look back on it," and adds, concerning his kids, "I try to keep it as far away from them as possible."

So, no reunion of Marky Mark and the Funky Bunch will be forthcoming, but Mr. Wahlberg will be coming through here in a semi-musical capacity Thursday, appearing at Stage AE to introduce a concert by the rock band 3 Doors Down.

The star actor's purpose is two-fold, as the concert is a benefit celebrating MARKED, his new line of performance nutrition products for the Pittsburgh-based GNC. A portion of ticket sales will be donated to support the Mark Wahlberg Youth Foundation and the Pressley Ridge Foundation.

"I spent 15 years trying to find out what was good for you and what wasn't, and I've always wanted to be in the health and wellness business," he says. "People have approached me about endorsing certain products and stuff, but I met with Joe Fortunato and Tom Dowd [of GNC] and we hit it off, and I told them I desired to be in the business and what I wanted to do: that I wanted to start with vitamins and supplements and eventually create inner-city gyms, stuff like that, really try to attack obesity. I want to create opportunities for those who can't afford to have a trainer and a nutritionist to come to a place where they can learn about fitness and nutrition, and encourage people to live healthy lives. So this is kind of like a starting point."

From those Calvin Klein underwear billboards in 1992 that showed off his killer abs to his Golden Globe-nominated role in 2010's "The Fighter," the 41-year-old actor from Boston has been known to be in great shape. He's put that body to the test a few times for his roles, especially of late.

"I put on 40 pounds for 'Pain & Gain,' which is the body-building movie I did with Michael Bay, and then I had to drop 30 of it right away for '2 Guns,' which is the movie I did with Denzel Washington."

In "Pain & Gain," Mr. Wahlberg, who scored big this summer with the comedy "Ted," goes back into action with Dwayne "The Rock" Johnson as part of a gang of Miami bodybuilders wrapped up in kidnapping, extortion and murder. For "2 Guns," derived from the Steven Grant graphic novel and also coming in 2013, they didn't want him to look quite so formidable as a naval officer who teams with a DEA agent for an undercover operation.

The physicality of a role obviously doesn't discourage him.

"There's a few things that go into the decision-making process. It's about the material, it's about the part, it's about the filmmaker. I usually look for roles where I can kind of transform myself in some sort of way. And I also try to find roles that I can connect to in some personal or emotional way, so there's a lot of factors."

In addition to those movies, he's about to star with Catherine Zeta-Jones and Russell Crowe in "Broken City," a crime thriller shot in New Orleans that's described as being in the "Chinatown" vein.

One of the other balls in the air is executive producing the big-screen version of "Entourage," the HBO comedy that was loosely based on his circle of friends and associates early in his career.

"The screenplay is finally finished," he says, "and hopefully we'll be in production no later than the spring for Christmas release later next year, or we'll figure out the best time to put it out, but we're really excited about it. It's been a long time coming."

The actor is juggling all these projects while raising four children -- two girls and two boys ages 2 to 9 -- with wife/model Rhea Durham.

"I just make sure that I plan my days wisely," he says. "If I've got to be working or training for work I'm up at 4:30 in the morning. I get as much done as possible before the kids wake up, and we get the kids up and off to school. But right now, about to start my fourth movie in like 12 months, it's been hard. I'm making sure I'm home every weekend, and the kids are coming and visiting me. It's hard, but I gotta make it work while I can."

Clearly, his kids are enjoying a very different upbringing than his own as the youngest of nine children to a Teamster dad and mom who was a nurse's aide and bank teller. Prior to becoming a rapper and getting his first role in 1993's "The Substitute," he roamed the streets as a violent gang member who ended up in prison. That's a big part of why he established the Mark Wahlberg Youth Foundation in May 2001.

"The most effective thing is to be able to communicate with them directly," he says of the kids, "because once they realize I came from the same kind of place as them, and was able to accomplish my dreams and goals, they can identify with me on a very personal level. I just tell them that things may be difficult, but if there's a will, there's a way, and with hard work and determination, you can create your destiny, with our help, the opportunities we create for you, give you a better chance of education, inspire you to go into the arts. Because, I never had anyone trying to create opportunities for me and I was very fortunate, but unfortunately, most of my friends weren't. Me, I've always had the desire. I just needed the opportunity. They realize if I could do it, they could do it."

Tuesday, September 18, 2012

Webcast with Mark Wahlberg on Thursday

Mark Wahlberg will be answering fans' health and fitness questions on a live webcast which takes place on Thursday at 5 p.m. ET.

Check out the webcast here!

Monday, September 17, 2012

Sequel to 'Ted' coming

According to the Boston Globe, Universal Studios has confirmed that there will be a sequel to the Mark Wahlberg movie "Ted".

Another possible movie project with Mark - The Amory Wars

According to AVClub.com, Mark Wahlberg is planning on working on a new movie called The Amory Wars. It is about a "couple named Coheed and Cambria and their attempt to oust a superhuman dictator named Wilhelm Ryan".

Saturday, September 15, 2012

Mark Wahlberg Interview with StuTV

Mark Wahlberg was interviewed by StuTV. He talks about the movie "Ted" and more.

StuTV - Ted + Interview Mark Wahlberg from StuTV on Vimeo.

Thursday, September 13, 2012

Mark Wahlberg at the 'Ted' premiere in Amsterdam

Mark recently attended the premiere of "Ted" in Amsterdam, Holland. Just Jared posted some photos from the event.

Wednesday, September 12, 2012

Update about the Entourage movie

Examiner posted a new article about the status of the upcoming Entourage movie.

Script for 'Entourage' movie is nearly complete

“Entourage” is coming back. Last year the enormously popular HBO series ended its eighth and final season with a Hollywood cliffhanger that easily set up the movie “Entourage” creator Doug Ellin is officially writing. As reported by Deadline today, September 12, 2012, Ellin is on page 110 of his screenplay and “gonna finish by Sunday (I pray).”

Ellin states that no one wants to see the movie green lighted by HBO more than the series’ WME packaging agent Ari Emanuel – the inspiration for Ari Gold – and executive producers Mark Wahlberg and Steven Levinson. Ellin jokingly explained that Wahlberg keeps promising “to kill me if I don’t write faster. Every time I see him, Mark says, ‘I’ve made 5 movies this year. Getgoing!”

Ellin took a bit of time off after spending a decade on the TV series that premiered on HBO in 2004. In the meantime, Ellin is under an overall contract with HBO and continued to develop for the network. He created an HBO comedy pilot starring Ed Burns that wasn’t picked up. Ellin and his producing partner Jim Lefkowitz also developed another HBO project, the boxing drama “Da Brick,” with Spike Lee and Mike Tyson and John Ridley. Ellin told Deadline that when he got down to writing the “Entourage” screenplay, he felt “renewed momentum”.

He says his script starts about 6 months after the TV series leaves off. “There are interesting developments about Ari as a studio head, and that’s still the first page for me. But foremost is the friendship between the guys who are still hanging out and going to fun parties, and it continues with the same characters.” Ellin has kept in touch with all the key cast members: Jeremy Piven (“Ari”), Adrian Grenier (“Vince”), Kevin Dillon (“Drama”), and especially Kevin Connolly (“E”) and Jerry Ferrara (Turtle”) who are apparently two of Ellin’s closest friends. The “Entourage” actors have been getting other gigs while HBO has been working with Ellin on developing the script.

HBO heads Richard Plepler and Michael Lombardo have clarified that thus far that they have only heard “a very general pitch” and need to read the completed script before moving forward. However, Ellin is optimistic, saying, “I’m excited. I feel a lot of positive energy,” he tells me. “Everywhere I go, people ask me, ‘Where’s the movie?’”

Deadline explains that the majority of “Entourage” fans want an R-rated movie filled with women, nudity, and cameos by Hollywood bigwigs as well as strong plotting and character arcs. Hopefully, Ellin has exceeded expectations, though Deadline also recalls its previous comment after the conclusion of the show, “Goodbye Entourage as a TV series. Now just don’t come back as an embarrassingly lame movie.

Tuesday, September 11, 2012

'Broken City' photo and update

Entertainment Weekly posted a new photo from Mark Wahlberg's upcoming movie "Broken City". Click here to view! They say the movie will be opening January 18 and Mark will play New York cop-turned-PI named Billy Taggart.


Sunday, September 2, 2012

Concert featuring 3 Doors Down in Pittsburgh to benefit Mark Wahlberg Youth Foundation

Here is a press release about an upcoming concert with 3 Doors Down in Pittsburgh hosted by Mark Wahlberg.

GNC, Mark Wahlberg & 3 Doors Down Host MARKED™ Benefit Concert to Raise Money for Underserved Youths
Pittsburgh event will help raise money for the Mark Wahlberg Youth Foundation and Pressley Ridge Foundation

PITTSBURGH, Aug. 29, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- GNC Holdings, Inc. (NYSE: GNC), the nation's largest specialty retailer of health, wellness and sports nutrition products, and actor/producer Mark Wahlberg today announced that they are hosting a benefit concert in celebration of MARKED™, a new line of performance nutrition products they developed in partnership. Rock band 3 Doors Down will headline the one-time only concert taking place in Pittsburgh, Pa on Thursday, September 20th at Stage AE. A portion of all ticket sales will be donated to support the Mark Wahlberg Youth Foundation, whose mission is to improve the quality of life for inner city youth, and the Pressley Ridge Foundation, which offers programs for troubled and developmentally challenged children.

"MARKED is more than just a line of products. It's a brand that is built on the principle that everyone should enjoy a healthy and supportive lifestyle," said Mark Wahlberg. "Currently, a portion of all sales of MARKED products are donated to my Foundation, so this concert only emphasizes our dedication to supporting the health and wellness of the next generation."

The MARKED line – consisting of seven sports and active nutrition products – provides the ultimate performance nutrition for anyone who wants to achieve their health and fitness goals. Every MARKED product has been rigorously tested for banned substances by HFLSports Science, a world-class sports anti-doping lab, and based on cutting edge nutritional science using only the highest quality ingredients.

"Working with Mark Wahlberg and 3 Doors Down to raise money for two great organizations is a testament to our commitment to help people of all ages 'live well,'" said Joe Fortunato, GNC President and CEO. "We're thrilled to be able to offer this unique opportunity for our consumers to 'Get MARKED' with Mark Wahlberg and 3 Doors Down this September."
In addition, ahead of the concert, on September 20th, Mark Wahlberg will participate in a webcast on MarkedNutrition.com with Men's Fitness Editor-in-Chief Michael De Medeiros to discuss the MARKED line and answer questions directly from fans. More details about how to join will be available at the website in September.  GNC is also deploying street teams around Pittsburgh that same day to present exclusive product offers and help inspire consumers to "Get MARKED."

"Mark has personally motivated me to get back on a healthy workout program and it's clear he takes 'living' well very seriously.  Thanks to his inspiration and guidance, I'm exercising regularly and have already lost 50lbs." said Tom Dowd, EVP, Chief Merchandising Officer and General Manager.

Tickets for the MARKED benefit concert can be purchased at all Ticketmaster locations. Charge by phone at 800-745-3000 or online at Ticketmaster.com. For more information visit StageAE.com
For more information about the MARKED line, visit MarkedNutrition.com or GNC.com. Connect with MARKED on Facebook: Facebook.com/MarkedNutrition and follow MARKED on Twitter @MarkedNutrition and share how you #GetMARKED!

About GNC
GNC Holdings, Inc., headquartered in Pittsburgh, PA, is a leading global specialty retailer of health and wellness products, including vitamins, minerals, and herbal supplement products, sports nutrition products and diet products, and trades on the New York Stock Exchange under the symbol "GNC."
As of June 30, 2012, GNC has more than 7,800 locations, of which more than 6,000 retail locations are in the United States (including 933 franchise and 2,157 Rite Aid franchise store-within-a-store locations) and franchise operations in 55 countries (including distribution centers where retail sales are made). The Company – which is dedicated to helping consumers Live Well – has a diversified, multi-channel business model and derives revenue from product sales through company-owned retail stores, domestic and international franchise activities, third party contract manufacturing, e-commerce and corporate partnerships. GNC's broad and deep product mix, which is focused on high-margin, premium, value-added nutritional products, is sold under GNC proprietary brands, including Mega Men®, Ultra Mega®, GNC Total Lean, Pro Performance®, Pro Performance® AMP, Beyond Raw®, and under nationally recognized third party brands.

For more than 75 years, GNC has been committed to bringing people superior GNC brand products using only the highest quality ingredients, manufactured under the strictest quality controls. Managing every stage of the process – from formulation to retailing – allows GNC to guarantee quality, purity and potency of GNC products.
Web: GNC.com | Twitter: @GNCLiveWell | Facebook: facebook.com/GNCLiveWell

About the Mark Wahlberg Youth Foundation
Mark Wahlberg and his family established the Mark Wahlberg Youth Foundation on the belief that no child should be prevented from living up to his or her potential due to financial hardship. The Foundation works to improve the quality of life for teens living in urban communities and distributes funds to support local youth service and enrichment programs nationwide. A life-long member and advocate of the Boys & Girls Clubs of America, Mark comes from a family of nine children with limited means and spent most of his afternoons and evenings at his local club. He credits a large part of his success to the fact that he was fortunate to spend his free time in a positive and nurturing environment. Visit www.markwahlbergyouthfoundation.com.

About Pressley Ridge Foundation
Pressley Ridge was founded in 1832, and offers programs for troubled and developmentally challenged children in Delaware, Maryland, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Virginia, West Virginia and the District of Columbia. Internationally, the organization's programs serve children in Hungary and Portugal. More than 5,200 children and their family members are assisted each year. Pressley Ridge provides education programs that are interactive, individualized and holistic, encouraging students to celebrate their competence and become lifelong learners.
Media Contact:
Diana Torres-Bixby
diana.torres@edelman.com
212-819-4895

Boston Globe: Fans vie for a spot on the Wahlburgers menu

The Boston Globe posted a new article about Wahlburgers (the burger restaurant owned by Mark, Donnie and their brother Paul).  They had a contest for customers to come up with a new burger idea.  In the end a chicken sandwich ended up winning:)  Click here to read the article.