In the canon of film’s history, many an actor has been tasked with a performance that requires either a mind-bending slim down, or the kind of epic transformation that sees them become unrecognisable in the public eye. For Mark Wahlberg, the actor has made a name for himself as someone all too willing to do either, taking on each role with the same determination he would a workout in the gym.
But if you thought Wahlberg’s transformations might have proved so many that the actor could only call it quits on such physically-demanding roles, think again. It appears it might be a new year, but it’s also one that sees Wahlberg holding new goals when it comes to his physique and the roles he’s been inspired to take on. In his latest video posted to Instagram, the star detailed how he’s on the cusp of starting a new transformation for an as-yet-unnamed project.
Wahlberg told his followers to “watch this transformation,” standing before the camera with his bulging biceps and impossibly defined torso. He also gave a nod to his nutrition company, Performance Inspired Nutrition.
Ok, so the Instagram video leaves a lot to be desired by way of details and information. Wahlberg didn’t exactly disclose much on his page, but it’s exciting to see the actor doing what he does so well: transforming before the camera. Considering he’s gone a number of transformations already in his acting career leads us to suggest he’s up there with the likes of Christian Bale, a man who never shies away from slimming down or beefing up for a role, knowing that doing so is integral to playing the character with integrity.
Wahlberg’s most recent transformation will be seen on the screen in the upcoming Father Stu, which saw the actor commit to a 7000-calorie diet in pre-production in order to gain weight. Speaking to Jimmy Kimmel about the arduous task of having to stuff his face constantly, Wahlberg said he would eat a “20-piece chicken nugget and 20-piece hot wings from Kentucky Fried Chicken with a six-pack of beer.” Not such a bad night in, but to do so consistently, day-in, day-out – safe to say we’d lose our appetitive for KFC after that.
Still, it was something of a welcome respite for Wahlberg who is known for his dedication to fitness and healthy eating. “I’m like, ‘Dude, I’ve been on such a regimen for so long, I just want to eat everything in sight.’ I want to go to bakeries, I want to go to Denny’s, I want to get pancakes. I want to get everything that I could possibly get my hands on.”
It’s important to note that despite the blow out, Wahlberg was still under strict supervision. “We meet with a team of doctors who do his bloodwork and a nutritionist who gives us a full breakdown of what his body needs, what his body’s lacking and basically come up with a meal plan accordingly. We go to a specialist every two weeks to see where we’re at and adjust things,” said Wahlberg’s personal chef, Lawrence Duran, in an interview with E! News.
