Mark Wahlberg Talks to a Bear
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In perusing the movie news mill as I tend to do, this article caught my eye. Mark Wahlberg is likely going to star in a Seth McFarlane buddy comedy called Ted (via Slashfilm). What’s really interesting is that Ted is a walking, talking, pot smoking, womanizing, foul mouthed teddy bear that Wahlberg’s character brings to life. I’m going to just unload the plethora of pop culture and movie reference that ran through my mind at the news; Monkey Bone meets Chucky minus the murder (and Rose McGowan as a sexy anthropomorphic cat), SNL’s skit Mark Wahlberg Talks to Animals, What am I? What am I?, the video game Naughty Bear and that X-Files episode with the creepy talking doll. Okay back on topic.
From the synopsis provided it sounds like Wahlberg’s character brought the bear to life as a kid and the two are still best friends years later. But the lifestyle that Ted leads gets in the way of the man’s “committing to adulthood.” Adulthood? Wahlberg is almost 40 years old! I like Mark as an actor but he seems too old for this role. Even if he is written to be younger, I’m not sure that Marky Mark could pull off an immature character. Seth Green, on the other hand, I think would be a very convincing young slacker, even if he is only 3 years Wahlberg’s junior. Plus, McFarlane and Green have worked together for many years on Family Guy and Robot Chicken, which could translate to silver screen gold.
Either way, it will be interesting to see McFarlane’s brand of offensive humor in the cinema. Knowing the fan base he has created over the years this could well end up being one of the highest grossing R-rated comedies ever. And even though I find the casting questionable, I am looking forward to this project.
What Do You Think? Discuss.
