Mark Wahlberg on Deepwater Horizon: ‘I had a responsibility to tell this story in the right way’

The A-lister actor stars as a real-life survivor of the 2010 oil rig disaster 
Jennifer Ruby27 September 2016
The Weekender

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Mark Wahlberg felt like he had a ‘responsibility’ to tell the story of Deepwater Horizon in the right way.

The A-lister, who stars in a brand new film about the 2010 oil rig disaster, has said he felt very ‘aware’ that he had to handle it delicately.

Speaking on the red carpet at the London premiere on Monday night, Wahlberg talked about portraying real-life survivor Mike Williams.

“I read the script, I read the New York Times piece and I watched the 60 minute piece with Mike and I was like, very inspired to be a part of it and tell the story,” he said.

“We know what our job is and the responsibility that we’ve taken on and so we’ve got to deliver, you know, and Pete [Berg] and I were very aware of that and we’d discuss that on a daily basis.”

Wahlberg added: “I knew that it would have to be handled a lot more delicately and sensitively and after our experience on Lone Survivor I knew he was the guy for the job."

Williams, who survived the blowout that killed 11 crewmen and caused the largest oil spill in US waters, was also on the red carpet.

“We actually talked a few times before a deal was reached,” he said.

“I had to be certain that he would honestly tell the story of what I saw that night without reading the script and without even knowing what the movie was going to be about.

“The first two years after the disaster it was difficult for me to even leave the house and now here I am in front of thousands of people.

“It’s a huge transition and it must have been healing otherwise I couldn’t be standing here right now, there’s no way.”

Deepwater Horizon is in UK cinemas on September on September 30.

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