Mark Wahlberg’s Wild Quest: Why He Needs His Wife’s OK to Join Bear Grylls

In his latest adventure drama, “Arthur the King,” Mark Wahlberg takes on the role of an adventure racer who finds an unexpected companion in a stray dog. The film, set against the stunning backdrop of the Dominican Republic, showcases Wahlberg and his team as they traverse over 400 miles, forming a bond with the canine along the way.

Wahlberg recently attended a special fan screening of “Arthur the King” at AMC Century City 15, which doubled as a pet adoption event. During the event, Wahlberg sat down with ET’s Kevin Frazier to discuss the rigorous nature of filming and the physical challenges he endured.

“Because the film is based on a true story, you want to pay attention to the small stuff and you want to look the part,” Wahlberg explained. This commitment required extensive preparation and training to authentically portray the demanding world of adventure racing. However, Wahlberg’s dedication was put to the test on the very first day of shooting when he tore his meniscus.

Reflecting on the injury, Wahlberg said, “All my training went out the window. Then it’s basically just about getting through it.” The meniscus, a critical cartilage in the knee, posed a significant challenge. Despite medical advice to pause production, Wahlberg chose to continue filming. “It took a long time to get the movie off the ground and we were in the middle of COVID. If I had shut it down, I don’t know if we would’ve got it up and running again,” he recalled.

The physical strain was not the only hurdle for Wahlberg. “I did a lot of things that I didn’t want to do. The first was walking out of my trailer in spandex,” he shared with a laugh. Donning Lycra bodysuits, which required him to shave his legs, was a new experience for the actor. “What little hair I had on my legs I had to shave off. It still hasn’t come back.”

“Arthur the King” features Wahlberg alongside Simu Liu and Nathalie Emmanuel, as they bike, kayak, run, and zipline across 435 miles of rugged terrain. Bear Grylls, the renowned survivalist, makes a cameo in the film, prompting questions about whether Wahlberg would join Grylls on a real-life adventure.

“If I get permission from my wife, yes,” Wahlberg responded, referring to his wife of 14 years, Rhea Durham. The couple shares four children, and Durham’s opinion weighs heavily on Wahlberg’s decisions regarding dangerous endeavors. “She doesn’t think I need to be doing things that are too extreme,” he admitted. “I mean, I’m not doing any Tom Cruise type of stuff. But I do enough where it’s like, ‘Yeah, you don’t want to put yourself in harm’s way.'”

Wahlberg even expressed concern that Durham might disapprove of his ziplining scenes in the film due to the inherent risks. Her protective nature underscores the balance Wahlberg strives to maintain between his professional commitments and family responsibilities.

“Arthur the King” is set to inspire audiences with its tale of resilience, adventure, and unexpected friendships, while Wahlberg’s personal journey during the making of the film highlights his unwavering dedication and the support of his family.