Mark Wahlberg drinks a glass of olive oil to gain weight as ‘Father Stu’

Mark Wahlberg went to great lengths for his latest role. ET’s Cassie DiLaura spoke with the 50-year-old actor before the release of “Father Stu”, for which Wahlberg spent 30 30 in 6 weeks on Father Stuart Long, a real-life boxer-priest.

“I had six weeks to put on about 30 pounds. I started with 7,000 calories for the first two weeks and then 11,000 calories for the last four weeks,” Wahlberg said. “None of this was fun, it was amazing except for the first meal, because I didn’t eat anything up to that point. But after that, when you are already full and you have to eat again and trying to lose this amount at my age is not the only healthy thing. “

After enjoying his first weight gain diet, the process quickly became tedious and enjoyable, especially given the fact that he was literally drinking olive oil in a glass as part of his daily routine.

“I wasn’t eating anything that would make you think, ‘Oh my God, I can sit on the couch and eat ice cream and pizza,'” he explained. “I tried to do it in a healthy way. It contained a dozen eggs and a dozen pieces of bacon, two baked potatoes, a porterhouse steak, two bowls of white rice and a glass of olive oil. The first two weeks were high protein. The second two weeks had plenty of carbohydrates. The last two weeks of starch, and then sodium, swell as much as possible. That’s not a lot of fun. “

Although she had to gain weight, Wahlberg did not abandon her morning workout routine, instead using it to help her become hungry enough to absorb the required amount of calories.

“I had to get hungry, so I went there and tried to lift as heavy as I could to get hungry,” Wahlberg told ET. “And then I want to shake the weight gainer and all those things. But none of this was funny. There is nothing worse than having your last meal and having to eat again. “

Like his physical transformation, creating the image was a challenge. Wahlberg, however, confirmed that he “never gave up hope and kept pushing the ball up the hill until we were able to make the picture.”

“I was obviously thrilled with the results … it would have been better to turn it into a kind of dirty, dirty, independent way, because … these are the people,” he said, adding that he had contacted his co-star, Mel Gibson. , For advice since he worked to create the project.

“When I was talking about making this film, I knew that Mail had made ‘The Passion of the Crest’, and I really appreciated what he was able to do with that film. He has financed himself. It was his love letter to God, “said Wahlberg. “And when we worked together on Daddy’s Home 2, I picked up his brain a lot … he wanted to be part of the storytelling.”

In the end, it was worth all his hard work, because it was a way for Wahlberg to share his faith with the world. Father Stuart Long’s inspirational journey of liberation from self-destruction also had something to do with Wahlberg.

“It was very difficult for both of us to nurture our childhood, to search for both our calling, and, I think, to reach a place where we both wanted to do better and serve God, and of course appreciate all the blessings that have been given. , “Wahlberg said. “… Now let me continue to do more significant work to resonate his message and take on that responsibility for myself after the film is over, and to bring people together and continue to spread the message of hope and faith.”

Although Wahlberg is passionate about sharing his faith, it is not something he shares with his four children, Grace, 12, Brendon, 13, Michael, 16, and Ella, 18, whom he shares with his wife, Rhea Durham.

“It simply came to our notice then. I wanted my kids to get Catholic education, but I didn’t want to force them to go to church. I just want to be an example, “he told ET.” To see them, parents who can’t miss church, or miss prayer time, can’t miss their daily devotion and can’t miss my routine as a whole, hopefully. Do, one day when they try to figure it out, they’ll realize, ‘Well, that thing works for Dad. Maybe it’s worth trying. ‘

“But I don’t want to force them to do it, because I think they can upset it and push it back,” Wahlberg continued. “So, I’m just trying to be an example and show them that it works in all the good things that happen in my life, including them and their mother, God gave me when I was ready. Ready for it and ready for it. “

Instead of imposing his beliefs on his children, Wahlberg said he tries to “set an example” that they and others can see.

“Trying to show kids growing up in inner cities, like I did, is possible unless you want to go there and do the work. And really just trying to get people to do their best, to be their best,” Wahlberg said. “I feel very blessed and fortunate and the way I have turned my life around, I must not forget where I came from. It’s about giving back and hopefully, through this, starting to do more meaningful things.

“Father Stew” will hit theaters on April 13

More from ET:

In ‘Father Stu’, you first see Mark Wahlberg as a boxer-turned-priest

The boyfriend of Mark Wahlberg’s daughter has replaced her on a family vacation

Mark Wahlberg says he got into trouble with his wife on Valentine’s Day