Mark Wahlberg plays real-life boxer turned priest Stuart Long in “Father Stu.” And for Wahlberg, the story is personal.
After an injury ends Long’s amateur boxing career, he meets Carmen, a Sunday school teacher. Long, who was agnostic, goes to church to impress her and instead finds his calling.
“Well, obviously, I am a man of faith. And I’ve been, I’ve been looking to do more with all the talents that have been given me and this movie came to me. The movie really chose me,” Wahlberg said. “So to be able to tell us the story of Father Stu to continue to echo his message and start my journey of doing more things that will encourage people to find their faith or to not give up on hope.”
Actors Mel Gibson and Jacki Weaver play Father Stu’s parents. Wahlberg went to Gibson for advice before making the film.
“It really started with me just kind of picking his brain about his love letter to God with the Passion of the Christ,” said Wahlberg. “I knew that he had financed the movie himself. So I thought that probably was the easiest path and the most risky for me. So I decided I was going to finance the movie myself produce it myself star in the film.”
Weaver said the film is moving and spiritual, but she did not like everything about her character.
“What I didn’t like about it she was very impolite,” Weaver said. “I’m a very polite person but what I liked about her and what I identified with was just wanting your child’s happiness, just loving your child so much that you would you’re prepared to indulge almost anything to make them happy.
Actress Teresa Ruiz plays Carmen, the woman who encouraged Stu to attend church. She liked going back in time to the 80s for the film.
“I really liked was just working with Mark and Mel and doing it in that era, you know, because it was like, late 80s,” said Ruiz. “And we had all the costumes, and we have the hair. It was just like such a place where your imagination could just be free. And then you didn’t have to do anything else, but just show up.”
Wahlberg transformed his body to play Long, the fit boxer, and then gained 30 pounds to show Long after his injury. Wahlberg says he ate up to 11,000 calories a day to reach his goal. He said his goal with the film is to show people there is always a second chance.
“Nobody’s beyond redemption,” said Wahlberg. “People need to know that they’re cared for and that they’re loved and supported. And we’re rooting for them. And, and we’re embracing people for who they are. That’s that’s really important.”
“Father Stu” is playing exclusively in theaters.
