Actor Mark Wahlberg opened up ahead of his first faith-based film, "Father Stu," and said that there's nothing more important than faith.
"Father Stu" is slated for a release on April 15 — Good Friday.
Wahlberg also serves as producer on the film and co-stars with Mel Gibson.
What are the details?
Academy Award-nominated Wahlberg recently told Pure Flix Insider that his latest project — a film based on the true story of a boxer-turned-priest and his journey from self-destruction to redemption — is his first foray into faith-based entertainment and his latest adventure in deepening his faith.
“People need to have faith and hope. Young men need to know what it’s like to be a real man. And you could list a million reasons — just turn on the news, anywhere you look there are reasons for encouraging people to have faith and to have hope,” Wahlberg said during the interview.
Walhberg said that he identifies with Father Stu's character in that he is insistent on turning around his life on a daily basis.
“I’ve made a lot of mistakes in my life. I have been focused since I was 16, 17 years old to turning my life around and that is a daily task,” Wahlberg admitted. "God has continued to bless me and put me in this situation not to continue to grow and work on Mark Wahlberg the person, but to do His work and finally, giving me the skills and tools to go out and articulate the message He wants me to articulate."
He added, "It’s never too late. As long as you’re breathing you have an opportunity to redeem yourself."
FATHER STU - Official Trailer (HD)www.youtube.com
What else?
Wahlberg also recently told Fox News' Raymond Arroyo that the film was a "journey towards faith."
"These movies are not easy to get made," Wahlberg told Arroyo, adding that the forthcoming film is "probably the most unpredictable movie ever."
"What did you see of yourself when you first read this script and first came across the story?" Arroyo asked the longtime actor.
Wahlberg responded, "So many things. Obviously, my past, but also my present. And my looking for my purpose ... God has continued to bless me and put me in this situation, not to continue to grow and work on Mark Wahlberg, the person, but to do His work and give me ... the skills and the tools to go out there and articulate the message that he wants me to."
"[Father Stu] was a guy who was really lost, trying to find his way ... eventually makes his way to the priesthood and loses mobility over his body, complete control over all of his muscles in time," he explained. "And that ends up being the vehicle of his redemption in some ways."
"[Both my and Stu's stories are] hard-won redemptive stories," he continued. "I just knew that I needed to make this movie ... this was my calling."
Wahlberg said that it's important now more than ever for people to have faith and hope.
"It's certainly a turning point for me in my life," he said. "I need to stop focusing so much on Mark and start doing much more work for God and for people and for people that are less fortunate."
The actor added that the film's message is that God will never stop his relentless pursuit of man's heart.
"God's not going to give up on you," he insisted. "Don't you dare go giving up on yourself."
The World Over February 10, 2022 | FATHER STU: Mark Wahlberg with Raymond Arroyowww.youtube.com
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