Mark Wahlberg has delivered some of the biggest hits over the years.

Even after being embroiled in some controversies during his early life, the actor emerged as one of Hollywood’s most renowned leading men. Wahlberg’s Three Kings directed by David O. Russell was one of the biggest critical and commercial hits of 1999. 

A still from Three Kings (1999)
Ardent moviegoers know that David O. Russell is one of the most controversial filmmakers ever. He raised numerous headlines over the years due to misbehaving with his cast and crew members. But according to Mark Wahlberg, his experience with the director was one of the best parts of the 1999 movie co-starring George Clooney.

Mark Wahlberg’s experience with David O. Russell was unexpected to fans

Mark Wahlberg with director David O. Russell
The filming of Three Kings was highly controversial after reports of David O. Russell’s misbehavior were revealed. Not only the cast and crew but even the studio had problems with the Amsterdam director’s filmmaking style. 

Three Kings focused on the story of some American soldiers played by George Clooney, Mark Wahlberg, and Ice Cube pulling off a gold heist during the 1991 revolts in Iraq. The black comedy film even saw Clooney showing his rough side after being enraged by the activities of Russell. But surprisingly, the Transformers star gave quite a contrasting statement on working with the director.
Interviewer: If there’s only one thing that you remember from every movie that you make?

Mark Wahlberg: I have to say working with David only because he’s such an interesting guy. I don’t know if you talked to him yet but that was by far what I’ll remember most and hopefully I’ll get to do it again. 
The Oscar nominee’s statement was completely dissimilar to the reports that came from the set of the $107 million grosser. David O. Russell was alleged to be verbally and physically demeaning the crew and the extras involved with Three Kings. Reportedly, the 64-year-old director’s behavior even led George Clooney to go into a physical conflict against him.

What happened between George Clooney and David O. Russell?

George Clooney with David O. Russell
One of the most renowned controversies that occurred on the set of Three Kings was the tussle between the Ocean’s 11 fame and David O. Russell. Reportedly, George Clooney couldn’t stand the repeated misbehavior faced by the extras of the movie and went on to defend them.

In an interview with Far Out Magazine, Clooney stated:
“We were trying to get a shot, and then he went berserk. He went nu*s on an extra. I would not stand for him humiliating and yelling and screaming at crew members, who weren’t allowed to defend themselves. I don’t believe in it, and it makes me crazy. So my job was then to humiliate the people who were doing the humiliating.”
The feud wasn’t limited to that as later the producer of the movie also revealed that the Batman & Robin actor got into a fistfight with the Silver Linings Playbook director. Although the conflict was mended later after Clooney gave a statement- “We made a really, really great film, and we had a really rough time together, but it’s a case of both of us getting older.”

On the other hand, even after getting to work with the director again in I Heart Huckabees and the critically acclaimed The Fighter, reportedly Mark Wahlberg also stopped talking with Russell. The reports rose soon after Bradley Cooper was cast in Silver Linings Playbook which was initially expected to have Wahlberg in the lead.