Entertainment
How Much Does '2 Guns' Star Mark Wahlberg's Box Office Muscle Depend on His Muscles?
Mark Wahlberg is a man with the good vibrations necessary to star in the funky bunch of films that make up his acting career thus far. Some might even say that his most obvious accessory (no, not his third nipple) — a particularly impeccable physique — is part of his draw. But the amount of muscle Wahlberg heaves onto screen waxes and wanes from film to film. But as is the case in his newest film 2 Guns, sometimes going undercover is best. So we've endeavored to scientifically deduce just how Wahlberg's biceps and triceps compare to his muscle at the box office? It's not as cut [and dry] as you might think. Photo Credit: Universal Pictures
Welcome to the '2 Guns' Show
Mark Wahlberg is a man with the good vibrations necessary to star in the funky bunch of films that make up his acting career thus far. Some might even say that his most obvious accessory (no, not his third nipple) — a particularly impeccable physique — is part of his draw. But the amount of muscle Wahlberg heaves onto screen waxes and wanes from film to film. But as is the case in his newest film 2 Guns, sometimes going undercover is best. So we've endeavored to scientifically deduce just how Wahlberg's biceps and triceps compare to his muscle at the box office? It's not as cut [and dry] as you might think. Photo Credit: Universal Pictures
Grins, But Bare-ly Bears It in 'Ted'
In the guffaw-inducing Ted, Wahlberg's muscles were merely a condiment to the main course that was raucous hilarity, served hot 'n' ready. His most profitable movie to date has made over $218 million worldwide to date. And while it certainly didn't skip on Wahlbody, his abs weren't the main focus so much as the thunder buddies' antics. Photo Credit: Universal Pictures
With Clooney, It's 'The Perfect Storm'
Attractive men getting wet. Saving lives. Looking good. The Perfect Storm was the apex of everything eye candy, coupled with a tale of heroism and human spirit. Wahlberg's muscle mass to box office ratio? It's made over $182 million worldwide to date, which is far from shabby. Way to elevate your core, Marky. Photo Credit: Warner Bros. Entertainment
Clearly Not 'Departed'
Wahlberg's acting chops and shoulder strength helped wrestle The Departed over $132 million worldwide at the movies. No wonder his arms are so well-defined: that's a huge chunk of change to carry around. (Keep doing it, we're far from complaining.) Photo Credit: Warner Bros. Entertainment
'Date Night' Got It Right
Hoo boy. I just... let's just follow Tina Fey's lead and stare. Stare and stare and stare. Though only — for all intents and purposes — a glorified cameo, Wahlberg's presence in Date Night was the gift that kept on giving. And while it couldn't crack the $100 million mark (just shy, at $98 million) in the worldwide box office, it was boffo with Wahlbergian buff. Maybe a hottie with a body isn't everything. Photo Credit: Twentieth Century Fox
The Not-So Italian Stallion
Wahlberg's overtly hunked-out physique went for a swim with the fishes in The Italian Job, but still managed to rake in beaucoup bucks at the box office: over $106 million worldwide, in fact. See, Wahlberg? We love you in every shape and size. [Photo Credit: Paramount Pictures]
Roids As Toys
Here's one that's really oblique: playing a bodybuilder in 2013's Pain and Gain certainly has its perks: 49.7 million of them worldwide, to be exact. Photo Credit: Paramount Pictures
The Star Below
No one was thinking about anything other than Mark Wahlberg's dick for the entirety of 'Boogie Nights, let's be real. Packing star power like that (prosthetic or otherwise) made up for the '70s-era, slim fit version of our favorite Hollywood hunk, because when it comes to the box office, we're all size queens. And for a film that cost $15 million to make, $46 million is a stiff return on investment. Photo Credit: New Line Cinema
'Rock Star' Abs
This film was — for all intents and purposes — the definition of a flop. Was it the equally-as-floppy hair, the wet blanket of a cast (Jennifer Aniston at her snooziest), or the fact that the '80s was a rough time for muscle mass, that made this film such an epic failure? It didn't even come close to making back the $57 million it cost to make, so it's safe to say the only thing that brought in any money was Wahlberg's six-pack. Photo Credit: Warner Bros.
I Heart Not-Much-abees
I Heart Huckabees is hardly the type of film that would seek to exploit Wahlberg's bodily talents, which is probably why this kooky comedy just barely broke even worldwide with $20 million. Blame it on all of those shirts. Photo Credit: Twentieth Century Fox
Jock-Jammed
Dear Diary,We have no idea how much The Basketball Diaries cost to make, but the fact that it only brought in $2.3 million worldwide when it has the charming combination of '90s-era DiCaprio and Wahlbody is a goddamn crime. Photo Credit: Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer Studios Inc.
