Mark Wahlberg wasn't happy on the set of Martin Scorsese's "The Departed." The actor played Sergeant Dignham in the 2006 drama opposite the likes of Jack Nicholson, Leonardo DiCaprio and Matt Damon. Despite the film's stellar cast, Wahlberg revealed he was "angry about a few things" during filming.
During the March 14 episode of the Happy Sad Confused podcast, the actor explained that while "it all worked out in the end," he was originally meant to "play another character" and "should get paid."
He also revealed that at the time he was busy filming another movie (2006's Invincible ), which required him to get hair extensions. "I had weird hair," he recalled. "I went to shoot Invincible and I had my hair extensions on, and when I came back they were like, 'Oh, you have to take them off.'"
Despite his dissatisfaction during production, the actor said he "completely understood where Marty [Scorsese] was coming from," adding, "He had to deal with Jack, he had to deal with Matt, Leo and Alex and everything, the studio and everyone involved,” who’s in the other cast. Then I should be in and out within five weeks. "
Although Wahlberg didn't have the best on-set experience, his performance as Sergeant Dignham earned him his first Best Supporting Actor nomination at the 79th Academy Awards in 2007. "The Departed" was also named Best Picture at that year's awards ceremony, and Scorsese was nominated for Best Supporting Actor. The first ever Best Director statue.
Discussing the Oscars further on the Happy Sad Confused podcast, Wahlberg said he cares "on some level" about being recognized at the annual awards show.
"You want the movie to be recognized, you want to be recognised, and that contributes to the ultimate success of the movie. I think that adds a lot to the box office," he said. "Especially if there's a movie coming out this time of year. But it's not as high on the priority list as it used to be, let's put it that way."
