Mark Wahlberg Transforms Into Gritty Mob Hitman on Set of New Thriller ‘By Any Means’
Mark Wahlberg has officially stepped into character for his latest role — and it’s one of his most drastic transformations yet.
The actor, 53, was photographed on the Atlanta set of his upcoming film By Any Means, where he plays a mafia hitman at the center of a gritty crime drama. Clad in a full period costume, Wahlberg waved to cameras while wearing heavy prosthetics on his chin and nose, giving him a nearly unrecognizable appearance. The transformation didn’t stop there — his hair was longer than usual, parted to the side, and styled with thick sideburns to match the 1960s setting.
Wahlberg also appeared to have packed on muscle for the role, wearing a tailored brown suit paired with a bright red button-up shirt. His look was completed with oversized aviator sunglasses, chunky gold rings, a watch, a chain necklace, and a toothpick in hand — a full commitment to the mobster aesthetic.
He was joined on set by co-star Yahya Abdul-Mateen II as filming began on the thriller, which is based on real events. The film tells the story of a notorious mafia enforcer who is recruited by the FBI to work alongside a young Black agent during a tense investigation into the targeted killings of civil rights leaders in 1966 Mississippi. Their unlikely partnership forms the backbone of a politically charged narrative set during one of the most violent chapters of the civil rights movement.
The cast also includes Giancarlo Esposito, Josh Lucas, Nicole Beharie, and Ethan Embry, who all play key roles in the unfolding investigation and the world of organized crime colliding with government surveillance. Production officially kicked off in mid-April, with principal photography taking place in Atlanta.
Wahlberg’s physical transformation has already drawn comparisons to his past work in Father Stu, where he gained 30 pounds to portray a boxer-turned-priest suffering from a degenerative illness. At the time, Wahlberg revealed he was eating up to 11,000 calories a day to meet the physical demands of the role — a process that left a lasting toll on his body.
In By Any Means, he once again appears to be pushing himself physically and creatively. The character — a seasoned killer navigating the racial and political upheaval of 1960s America — marks a return to more serious material for the actor, whose recent roles have bounced between drama and action.
As production continues, Wahlberg’s intense new look and the high-profile supporting cast have already stirred early buzz. With its mix of historical context, crime, and moral tension, By Any Means is shaping up to be one of the year’s most anticipated dramas — and possibly one of Wahlberg’s most ambitious roles yet.