The Fighter star Mark Wahlberg is back in the ring in the first trailer for Sony’s upcoming biopic Father Stu. Released by Sony Pictures Entertainment, the footage has Wahlberg on fighting form once again, as he undergoes a major transformation in the telling of the boxer-turned-priest Father Stuart Long — a true story that is so full of drama and redemption that it is practically tailor-made for a big-screen adaptation.
Father Stu has been described as an unflinchingly honest, funny, and ultimately uplifting drama about a lost soul who finds his purpose in a most unexpected place. When an injury ends his amateur boxing career, Stuart Long (Mark Wahlberg) moves to L.A. dreaming of stardom. While scraping by as a supermarket clerk, he meets Carmen (Teresa Ruiz), a Catholic Sunday school teacher who seems immune to his bad-boy charm. Determined to win her over, the longtime agnostic starts going to church to impress her. But surviving a terrible motorcycle accident leaves him wondering if he can use his second chance to help others find their way, leading to the surprising realization that he is meant to be a Catholic priest. Despite a devastating health crisis and the skepticism of Church officials and his estranged parents (Mel Gibson and Jacki Weaver), Stu pursues his vocation with courage and compassion, inspiring not only those closest to him but countless others along the way.
Written for the screen and directed by Rosalind Ross, Father Stu has amassed a hugely impressive cast, which includes Academy Award Nominee® Mark Wahlberg (Best Supporting Actor, The Departed, 2006) as Father Stu, along with Academy Award Winner® Mel Gibson (Best Director, Braveheart, 1995), Academy Award Nominee® Jacki Weaver (Best Supporting Actor, Silver Linings Playbook, 2012) and Teresa Ruiz (Narcos). The film is produced by Mark Wahlberg, Stephen Levinson, and Jordon Foss and executive produced by Miky Lee, Colleen Camp, Rosalind Ross, Patrick Peach, and Tony Grazia.
Mark Wahlberg Will Transform Multiple Times Throughout Father Stu
This first trailer gives us a glimpse of the various transformations that Mark Wahlberg will undergo in order to portray the various stages in the life of Father Stu. Actors transforming their bodies for roles is nothing new, but it is quite stark to see the usually ab-sporting actor looking so different. Father Stu is something of a passion project for Mark Wahlberg, and clearly, the actor is committed to bringing the true story to life as best he can.
Wahlberg has previously revealed some details of how he achieved his new look, opting for a simple approach. Wahlberg aspired to gain 30 pounds in six weeks, with the actor revealing that he would achieve this by enjoying a "20-piece chicken nugget and 20-piece hot wings from Kentucky Fried Chicken with a six-pack of beer." It's worth noting that Wahlberg did say this with a wry smile, and was likely consulted throughout the process, with prosthetics assisting in turning Mark Wahlberg into Father Stuart Long.
Father Stu was recently given a release date, with the drama due to hit screens later this year on Friday, April 15.