Sony Pictures
While Mark Wahlberg now has plenty of comedies under his belt, there was a time when the genre was largely foreign to him. That is, until, he starred in The Other Guys alongside iconic 21st century funnyman Will Ferrell.
Speaking to BroBible’s Post Credit Podcast ahead of the release of his new buddy comedy Balls Up alongside Paul Walter Hauser, which is now streaming on Prime Video, Oscar-nominated actor Mark Wahlberg detailed what he learned from working alongside Will Ferrell in The Other Guys (in addition to their pair of Daddy’s Home films).
Mark Wahlberg shares what he’s learned about making comedies from working with Will Ferrell on The Other Guys and Daddy’s Home
Eric Italiano, BroBible: Mark, you’re one half of what I consider one of the most iconic buddy comedies of the last 25 years — The Other Guys. What did working with Will teach you about playing it straight or performing comedy in general? Because you are clearly the straight man of the two.
Paul Walter Hauser: You and Will Ferrell have done what, three movies together? The Daddy’s Home movies and The Other Guys are hilarious. That’s a good combo.
Mark Wahlberg: Just being comfortable enough in your own skin to let it go, throw caution to the wind, and be fearless enough to try anything. I had always done movies where there were comedic elements — from Boogie Nights through I Heart Huckabees and Three Kings — but to do a full-blown comedy was definitely uncharted territory. Working with Will and Adam, they were really nice people who enjoyed making people laugh. It was a very safe environment to try stuff, and it got to the point where you stop worrying about what people think and just commit. If you commit 110%… even this movie with Paul and I, we both get a little bit of straight man and then we both get a little crazy.
BroBible: The Other Guys has had an incredible second life — it’s more beloved now than when it first came out. Why do you think that is, and what does it mean to you that a movie you made 15 years ago is only growing in culture?
Wahlberg: I really don’t know what it is, but if I get called a peacock one more time everywhere I go… it happens a lot.
Balls Up — which also stars Molly Shannon, Benjamin Bratt, Daniela Melchior, Eric André, and Sacha Baron Cohen alongside Mark Wahlberg — is now streaming on Prime Video. Check out the official trailer for the Peter Farrelly-directed film below.