On January 27, 2024, Esspots, a website known for satire, published an article claiming that actor Mark Wahlberg had backed out of a $65 million project due to his reluctance to work alongside Tom Hanks. The headline of the piece stated: “Breaking: Mark Wahlberg Bows Out of $65 Million Project with Tom Hanks, “What A Woke Creep”.”
According to the Esspots article, Wahlberg’s decision stemmed from his purported discomfort with Tom Hanks’ outspokenness on current socio-political issues, which he perceived as excessive “wokeness.” The website cited an unnamed insider source allegedly close to Wahlberg, who characterized Hanks as “overly progressive and out of touch with the common man.”
Following its publication, the rumor quickly circulated online. However, it’s important to note that Esspots specializes in satire, rendering the claim false. Moreover, credible publications have not reported on Wahlberg’s withdrawal from the purported multi-million-dollar project.
The article by Esspots alleged that Mark Wahlberg withdrew from the project due to his disdain for Tom Hanks’ perceived “wokeness,” which the actor often expresses regarding ongoing social and political issues. Wahlberg reportedly viewed Hanks as excessively progressive and disconnected from ordinary people.
The satirical piece, written by Alex Robin, also provided details about the project, describing it as a high-stakes drama centered around the founding of a tech giant, exploring themes of ambition, betrayal, and innovation. Tom Hanks was slated to portray a visionary CEO, while Wahlberg was cast as a rough-around-the-edges COO.
Furthermore, Esspots claimed that Wahlberg would be replaced in the project, with actors such as Brad Pitt or Leonardo DiCaprio potentially taking his role. However, there is no substantiated evidence of Hanks and Wahlberg collaborating on such a project, let alone Wahlberg’s reported departure.
A fact-checking website named Chimniii debunked the claim, stating that their investigation found no evidence to support Esspots’ assertions. Additionally, reputable media outlets have not confirmed Wahlberg’s exit from the project, labeling the claim as misinformation.
Chimniii emphasized the lack of specific details, including the project’s name, director, studio, and official statements from the actors’ representatives, suggesting that the claim may be fabricated.
According to IMDb, the most recent collaboration between Tom Hanks and Mark Wahlberg was in the 2023 documentary “Commitment to Life,” directed by Jeffrey Schwarz. The documentary focused on the fight against HIV/AIDS in Los Angeles, featuring contributions from various A-listers, including Hanks and Wahlberg.
Another circulating claim suggests that Wahlberg urged his Hollywood peers to “please leave” the USA if they were unhappy, mentioning celebrities such as Alec Baldwin, Cher, Madonna, and others. However, Snopes clarified that this statement originated from a writer on the America’s Freedom Fighters (AFF) website, commenting on Wahlberg’s 2016 interview with Task & Purpose. In the interview, Wahlberg criticized Hollywood for being out of touch with reality and suggested leaving political discussions to experts.
