Debunked: is Mark Wahlberg Leaving a $65 Million Project Due to Tom Hanks’ “Woke Creep” Persona

A recent online claim suggested that Mark Wahlberg exited a $65 million project because he refused to work with Tom Hanks due to Hanks’ perceived “wokeness.” Let’s delve into the details and fact-check this intriguing narrative.

The Esspots Article:

On January 27, 2024, satirical website Esspots published an article asserting that Mark Wahlberg pulled out of a multi-million-dollar project with Tom Hanks. The reason? Allegedly, Wahlberg found Hanks too “woke” and out of touch with the common man.

Debunked: Is Mark Wahlberg Leaving a $65 Million Project for Tom Hanks?

Esspots elaborated on the alleged project, describing it as a high-stakes drama about the founding of a tech giant. Tom Hanks was supposedly cast as a visionary CEO, while Mark Wahlberg was set to play a rough-around-the-edges COO. The article further claimed that Wahlberg’s departure prompted considerations for replacement by actors like Brad Pitt or Leonardo DiCaprio.

The credibility of this claim was put to the test by fact-checking website Chimniii, which found no evidence supporting Esspots’ narrative. Lack of specific project details, director, studio information, and the absence of official statements from the actors’ teams raised suspicions of misinformation. The research failed to uncover any reputable media outlets confirming Wahlberg’s departure.

A quick check on IMDb revealed that Tom Hanks and Mark Wahlberg last collaborated on the 2023 documentary “Commitment to Life.” This documentary focused on the battle against HIV/AIDS in Los Angeles, showcasing how celebrities, including Hanks and Wahlberg, dealt with the epidemic. The claim of a recent collaboration on a multi-million-dollar project was debunked.

Additional Claim on Wahlberg’s Statements:

In the course of investigating the initial claim, another assertion emerged, suggesting that Mark Wahlberg urged certain Hollywood colleagues to leave the USA if dissatisfied. This claim was attributed to a writer on America’s Freedom Fighters (AFF) website. According to Snopes, this statement originated from Wahlberg’s 2016 interview with Task & Purpose, where he criticized Hollywood’s engagement in politics, advocating for experts to handle such matters.

The viral claim about Mark Wahlberg leaving a $65 million project due to Tom Hanks’ “woke creep” persona is debunked as a fabrication. Lack of concrete project details and official statements, combined with the satirical nature of the source, emphasize the importance of fact-checking in the age of online misinformation.

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