Mark Wahlberg, an action star, has a solid reputation in the entertainment industry. In movies like Max Payne, Transformers: Age of Extinction, and others, his lead roles bring more than just character to the table; they also bring his bulging biceps and other muscles. However, the 52-year-old actor is aware of the passing of time.

The actor had previously acknowledged that his busy schedule and overall career in the film business helped him maintain peak physical condition.

But as time has gone on, he has come to understand that he can no longer push his body as hard as he did in his youth. But a few years ago, he wanted to give a project everything he had but ultimately lost the film to someone younger.

Mark Wahlberg

Yes, Wahlberg has reportedly been attached to Uncharted (2022) for a very long time, though not always in the same capacity.

After more than a decade of development, Uncharted finally made it to the big screen after overcoming many obstacles along the way. However, there was another actor who was thought to be the ideal choice for the lead role.

Mark Wahlberg’s Reaction When Tom Holland Stepped Into His Role in Uncharted

Mark Wahlberg, who has always expressed a strong desire to play Nathan Drake, is a huge fan of the games. Although it did persuade fans that he was the undisputed choice to bring the character into the live-action world and was in line for the part, Sony had other plans in mind.

Even though Tom Holland, who co-starred with Wahlberg in the 2022 film Uncharted, won the part, the 52-year-old actor still came forward to wish the movie well.

But, the Father Stu star did have one complaint about the movie, though it had nothing to do with Holland’s choice to play Nathan Drake.

Tom Holland and Mark Wahlberg
Wahlberg talked about his reasons for remaining so long in the business as well as his feelings when Sony approached him again to play the mentor role rather than the lead.
“I was on board with David O. [Russell] and then we kind of moved on to another filmmaker and then another filmmaker and then I was just kind of like, it was all in limbo.” 
The Pain and Gain star further added:
“So I was ready if they needed me, and then when I finally got the call they were like, ‘We’re ready to go,’ and I was like, ‘Cool, who’s the other guy?’

I thought are we gonna get Jack [Nicholson]? Tommy Lee Jones? And then all of a sudden they’re like, Tom Holland and I’m like, ‘For what?’ And they said, ‘For Nathan, you’re gonna be Sully,’ and I said, ‘What?’”
Mark Wahlberg On Playing Sully After Competing For Nathan Drake’s Role

Many people were surprised to learn that Mark Wahlberg was originally cast as Nathan Drake. But the movie ultimately took a different direction and featured a younger Nathan Drake than what was originally planned.

Speaking about how he was initially considered for the role of Drake before landing the role of Sully,  the Shooter actor once stated:
“It was a long process. It just shows how fast time flies. I’m getting old and it’s one of those things where I was always excited about being involved in the Uncharted universe, bringing to the big screen. They figured now the best way in was kind of now, making these characters a little bit younger.” 

Tom Holland
The Fear (1996) actor continued by describing how Sully’s role was still unique as he stated:
“I really appreciated the opportunity to play Sully. He’s a very different kind of character. Nate is kind of a young, naive kid who is very smart when it comes to history and cracking some puzzles and things of that nature but Sully is the kind of guy who has all the wisdom, the experience, and also I love that he lives in this grey area where you don’t know if you can trust him or not.” 

Tom Holland and Mark Wahlberg
Uncharted centers on Nathan Drake (Tom Holland) and  Victor ‘Sully’ Sullivan (Mark Wahlberg) as they embark on a daring journey to discover the rumored treasure of the Magellan expedition.