Mark Wahlberg Reflects On Failed The Departed 2 Pitch
Mark Wahlberg reflects on a pitch for The Departed 2 that in his words “didn’t go very well.” Martin Scorsese’s Oscar-winning 2006 film The Departed starred Wahlberg alongside fellow Hollywood heavy-hitters Leonardo DiCaprio, Jack Nicholson and Matt Damon.
Given the major league talent featured in front of and behind the camera, it’s indeed no surprise that The Departed went on to win four Academy Awards including Best Picture while grossing $291 million at the worldwide box office. Wahlberg himself of course received an Oscar nomination for Best Supporting Actor but ultimately lost out to Alan Arkin. Wahlberg also had the distinction of being the only major cast member from the movie whose character actually survived, setting up the possibility of his being able to return in a sequel. And indeed a sequel was at one time discussed with Wahlberg set to return alongside screenwriter William Monahan. According to accounts, plans for the sequel were ultimately scrapped due to the lack of a script and Scorsese’s disinterest in returning.
Related: Martin Scorsese's Amazing Death Easter Egg In The Departed Explained
Now Wahlberg himself has fleshed out a little more of the story about why The Departed 2 never happened. Speaking to the KFC Radio podcast (via CinemaBlend), Wahlberg confirmed there was actually a pitch meeting with Warner Bros. for a Departed sequel but says things ultimately didn’t go the way he and writer Monahan expected. Wahlberg explained:
They talked about that, they talked about a prequel, and then a sequel. I went into a meeting with Bill Monahan at Warner Bros. to pitch the sequel to The Departed, he wanted me to go with him. This was after it had won Best Picture, it was a big success and all that. Let’s
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