Charlize Theron on working with Mark Wahlberg: “He’s a phenomenal actor”
People have different opinions on what constitutes a great actor, but most would surely agree that Charlize Theron fits the bill, and not just because she’s won an Academy Award.
For over a quarter of a century, she’s become that rarest of things: a combination of powerhouse thespian, bankable movie star, ass-kicking action hero, and franchise favourite. Not many have turned that quartet into a viable, successful, and lengthy career, but Theron has made it look easy.
Need a heavyweight dramatic performance? No problem, Theron will knock out Monster, North Country, or Bombshell. Does an empty-headed franchise need an injection of gravitas? Fast & Furious and Marvel have both come knocking. Do asses need to be kicked, and names need to be taken? Atomic Blonde and The Old Guard find her doing both with equal aplomb.
The best example of every aspect of Theron is unquestionably George Miller’s Mad Max: Fury Road, which finds her in searing form as Imperator Furiosa. It’s a complex, layered character portrayed dynamically by an actor at the top of their game in a fantastical box office smash that doubled as a prestige picture.
Theron could probably play Max Rockatansky, but Tom Hardy probably couldn’t do a decent Furiosa. It’s a rare combination of gifts, which makes it unusual for her to describe an actor who isn’t exactly known for their wanton displays of range and versatility to earn the “phenomenal” tag from one of the best.
With the greatest respect and completely accepting that there is evidence to the contrary in Boogie Nights, The Fighter, and The Departed, Mark Wahlberg isn’t someone anyone would consider an elite-level actor. He’s good with the right material, but more often than not, the material leaves a lot to be desired.
However, after working with him and striking up a rapport on James Gray’s robust crime drama The Yards, Theron didn’t hesitate when Wahlberg sought to gauge her interest in boarding a breezy remake of a Michael Caine classic, even making a point of telling her it was going to be a lark.
“I had a fantastic time working with him, and we remained friends,” she told the BBC of the segue between the two projects. “When this script came along, it was sent to me, and I knew he was already cast. Then he called me and said, ‘You have to come and do this. It’s not a serious movie. We can have some laughs, have a good time’. And I just like being around him, plus he’s a phenomenal actor.”
Wahlberg was at least right in informing Theron that the new version of The Italian Job wasn’t to be taken seriously, but one cast member did not have the good time everybody was promised. Then again, Edward Norton was only there because he was going to get sued if he didn’t do it, but everybody else probably had fun.
