The March 15 theatrical release is “Arthur the King,” directed by Simon Cellan Jones (“The Family Plan”) and based on a true story. The film stars Mark Wahlberg (“Father Stu”), Simu Liu (“Barbie”) and Nathalie Emmanuel (“Fast X”).
Mark Wahlberg talks about “Arthur the King. “
Moviefone recently had the excitement of sitting down on user with Mark Wahlberg to talk about his paintings in “Arthur the King,” what audiences can expect, the true story it’s based on, the physical preparation to gamble as an adventure racer, bonding with his co-star dog on set, and his love for his own dogs.
You can read the full interview below or click on the video player above to watch our interviews with Wahlberg, Simu Liu, Nathalie Emmanuel, Ali Suliman, director Simon Cellan Jones, and real-life subject Michael Brandt.
Mark Wahlberg as Michael in “Arthur the King” Photo credit: Carlos Rodríguez.
Moviefone: To begin with, what would you say to those who sit down to watch this movie and prepare them for the theatrical delight they’re about to have?
Mark Wahlberg: You stop by to laugh, you raisin to cry, you stop by to clap, and then you stop by to adopt a dog. That is precisely what happens. But no, it’s very exciting that this movie, especially, is in theaters. Yesterday I went to a screening in a cinema that I passed by 3 or 4 times with my children and my wife, and I passed once or twice. times through myself, and we had the pleasure of sitting there laughing, crying, and enjoying videos with others and strangers. So, to see that happen and to give other people so much hope and so much joy is nice.
(From left to right) Mark Wahlberg as Michael and Simu Liu as Leo in “Arthur The King”Photo credit: Carlos Rodríguez.
MF: Can you tell us how Arthur replaced Michael’s life over the course of this film?Have you ever enjoyed a dog that replaced your life?
MW: Listen, my dogs, through it all, we potty trained all 4 of them, so it replaced my life quite a bit because I can be comfortable walking barefoot to the kitchen in the morning without turning on the lights and waking up. Someone else turning on the hallway lights. But it was remarkable for me because Michael was so obsessed with winning. He was obsessed with proving that he was smart enough to become a world champion, and he came very close to achieving it. Everything he had done up to that point was very selfish. I mean, let’s not try to sugarcoat this. Athletes have to be self-centered and self-obsessed in order to pass out and devote that kind of time, attention, and determination to anything, especially adventure racing. So to see him make such a radical resolution and something so altruistic and that will replace the rest of his life as it happens. . . But everything happens for a reason, and I know he wouldn’t replace it with global. . .
(From left to right) Simu Liu as Leo and Mark Wahlberg as Michael in “Arthur The King. “Photo credit: Carlos Rodríguez.
MF: Did you immediately bond with the dog who played Arthur and what was it like to run with him?
MW: We were neighbors and we had to spend a little bit of time together because we were going to be together as much time as possible. Without delay, I would start giving him things that he wasn’t supposed to eat, or that the coach usually wouldn’t let me, and I might just go over that time. But I never imagined that he would be so committed and so connected to me on an intimate, emotional level. It was incredible.
(From left to right) Ali Suliman as Chik and Mark Wahlberg as Michael in “Arthur The King. “Photo credit: Carlos Rodríguez.
MF: Finally, can you talk about the demanding situations involved in being physically fit to play an adventure runner and how you felt when you got a glimpse into their world?
MW: Which prepared me to do “Lone Survivor” because for anything like adventure racing, you want another user. They just have another composition. It’s about suffering. It’s about being able to get underneath mentally and physically. Considering the point of suffering that they’re going through and the things that they’re going through, you have to be a special user to be able to do that. So, I think tearing my meniscus on the first day of shooting put me in the loose area that I wanted. In fact, I’ve felt that pain each and every day, as I walk back to set afterward. I mean, you’ve felt it each and every day, yet you’ve also felt like you’re onto something and you’re doing something special, and you’re not getting that kind of satisfaction and power that you can’t wait to get to the next day. . And this continues in many films. So it’s something that happens infrequently, it’s something that’s rare.
Arthur the King”An unforeseen encounter. A bond. An unforgettable adventure. “PG-131 hr 47 minMar 15, 2024Opening times and tickets
Over the course of ten days and 435 miles, an unbreakable bond is forged between adventure runner Michael Light (Mark Wahlberg) and a wandering stray dog.
Over the course of ten days and 435 miles, an unbreakable bond is forged between professional adventure runner Michael Light (Mark Wahlberg) and his partner, a labyrinthine stray dog nicknamed Arthur. Based on an incredible true story, “Arthur the King” follows Light, desperate for one last chance to win, as he convinces a sponsor and a team of athletes (Simu Liu, Nathalie Emmanuel and Ali Suliman) for the adventure. World Racing Championship in the Dominican Republic. As the team heads into the excessiveness of the race, Arthur redefines what victory, loyalty, and friendship really mean.
(From left to right) Simu Liu as Leo, Nathalie Emmanuel as Olivia, Mark Wahlberg as Michael, and Ali Suliman as Chik in “Arthur The King. “Photo credit: Carlos Rodríguez.