Currently in limited release,Patriots Dayopens wide this Friday.
EW talked to the duo about the film and their fruitful relationship.
ENTERTAINMENT WEEKLY: Youve made three films together now.
Credit: Brigitte Lacombe
What led you two to work together initially?
MARK WAHLBERG:I think there was a reluctance on both our parts to work together.
I dont know if it was a competitive thing or a New York-Boston thing.
We had the same agent, and he was always saying, You gotta work with Pete.
PETER BERG:Im a fan, like everybody else.
It started withBoogie Nights.
There was a coolness that I liked, a grittiness that I liked.
Everything that fits into my aesthetic, Mark has.
BERG:I couldnt get him, he was always working!
I think the only reason I ever turned him down, and I regret it, wasThe Fighter.
I had another movie I was doing.
WAHLBERG:Maybe you were doingThe Kingdomat the time.
Id heard aboutLone Survivor, and he was having a hard time figuring it out and getting it made.
I had a friend whod financed two other movies.
I was really inspired by the way people responded, and I wanted to tell that story.
Its never been more difficult or complicated for me to make a movie.
Its about my home, my people, my community.
He took me to Boston; we met some of the key people.
Instantly, I was like, Lets go.
You started working on this film just a couple years after the bombing.
Did you find anyone who felt this was too soon?
They wanted to ensure that we were gonna do the right thing.
BERG:There was no one cop that did it all.
I felt like we needed someone to anchor the film, and that someone would be Mark.
So imagine all the conflicts when making a movie and telling this story in two hours.
Theres your truth, my truth, and the truth.
Thats our job, you know?
Honor these people, and ensure as many people as possible see the movie.
By nature, the film touches on politically charged topics.
WAHLBERG:We werent thinking about what the election was going to look like.
Nobody could have predicted that, right?
Keeping that in mind, this is a movie for everybody to find hope and inspiration.
Will it inspire conversation and debate about certain things?
What was most timely was that these horrific acts of terror happen all over the world.
BERG:These events keep happening.
I was in New York 9/11.
Marks from Boston, flew there immediately after.
I was in Nice Bastille Day when the truck drove through and killed all these people.
Its the new reality, unfortunately.
Theres no hidden agenda, no political agenda.
The only politics we were really talking about was the politics of community, the politics of social love.
Youve been linked to two possible collaborations, a remake ofThe Six Million Dollar Manand the action filmMile 22.
BERG:Were looking atMile 22right now.
Well see if that comes together.
WAHLBERG:We also have a couple of other nonfiction movies that were really excited about.
BERG:Were gonna keep working together whatever we do.
What draws you guys to work together?
WAHLBERG:I love the man that he is, the father that he is, and the leader.
We push each other in a way.
BERG:Hes come through hell.
He couldve easily ended up in prison.
He makes me want to work harder.
WAHLBERG:I havent had this relationship before with another guy.
Its still really hard to put into words for you.
But the love, and the respect, is real.
