On the time, Wahlberg was deeply dedicated to his craft, typically getting ready for roles by visiting bizarre, seedy areas. He additionally appreciated staying in character when the cameras stopped rolling, which posed an issue with a imply character like Dignam. Staying in character off-camera, by the way in which, shouldn’t be one of many tenets of Technique Performing, however sure actors have affected the observe nonetheless. Walhberg was one among them.
Walhberg does not elucidate which function he auditioned for, however one would possibly assume it was one of many two lead roles occupied by Damon or DiCaprio. He additionally did certainly receives a commission, so his remark about not getting paid was possible slang for not getting paid a bigger quantity. Wahlberg stated:
“I used to be a bit pissed about a few issues however look all of it labored out ultimately, I believe. Initially I used to be alleged to play one other half. Initially I used to be alleged to receives a commission. Initially, I used to be alleged to be … you realize. After which we agreed that I might play Dignam, once I noticed the benefits of taking part in that half and the way I might method the scenario with everyone else taking part in reverse me.”
It actually appears like Wahlberg was gunning for a bigger function, and that he was solely briefly offended that he was relegated to a supporting participant. Fortunately, being a supporting participant in a Scorsese film about Boston gangsters was no small feat in itself.
However then points arose over Wahlberg’s hair. He revealed that the shoot for “The Departed” was interspersed between the actor’s filming of “4 Brothers” and “Invincible,” and he was required to get hair extensions that he refused to take away for Scorsese. Some assumed he wore a wig.