“I like to do things that inspire people to dig a bit deeper.”

“I always say, ‘I hope God’s a movie fan!’”

Mark Wahlberg’s humor was evident in our recent conversation about his career, his family and his faith, and about his latest film, Arthur the King. “I don’t want to compromise what I do creatively and artistically,” he said, reflecting on how God has touched his heart and influenced his career, “but I can’t help but have those things – being a parent, being a husband – influence my decisions. I’ve embraced getting older and playing parts that are age-appropriate. In the end, I’d like to do something that inspires people.”

Wahlberg has enjoyed a successful career in music, including as a member of the boy band New Kids on the Block. He has starred in nearly sixty films, in genres ranging from comedy to drama to action. His most recent release, Arthur the King, is an adventure film which retells the true story of a team of athletes competing in a strenuous cross-country race in the Dominican Republic. Along the way, led by Wahlberg’s character Mikael Lindnord, they encounter a stray dog that seems determined to join them.

Asked why the script for Arthur the King caught his attention, Wahlberg explained, “Sometimes I read something that I feel is really important, something that makes for a great story that I think audiences would enjoy. In this case, I saw the documentary and I just fell in love with it!”

When he first read the script, the star knew nothing about adventure racing, and he just thought that it was something that audiences would appreciate. “I’ve had many things along my path and journey,” he said, “that have inspired me to do what I’m really called to do – which is, hopefully, to inspire and to be an example for kids growing up in difficult situations.”

“Sometimes,” Wahlberg said, “things will come your way that will change the course of your life.” That’s what happened to Mikael Lindnord, the real-life endurance racer portrayed by Mark Wahlberg: “This guy was so fixated on the fact (after 19 unsuccessful attempts) that this was his last opportunity to win the race,” said Wahlberg. “He was willing to do anything, to compromise anybody or anything, to be able to accomplish that ultimate goal. But the guy – who seemed one of the most selfish guys I’d ever seen – then did one of the most selfless things, sacrificing the entire race just to save Arthur, even though he wasn’t what you would call a ‘dog person.’”

Wahlberg wanted viewers to understand just how much love Lindnord felt for the stray, whom he named “Arthur the King.” Although the dog died just a few months before filming began, Wahlberg said, “We definitely want everyone to know that he lived a long, happy life after he was able to connect with Mikael. His death was unfortunate, but it’s amazing to see how much Arthur meant to Mikael, and how much he still does. Mikael’s a parent, he’s a husband – but the amount of love that he had for Arthur is very special.”

Asked about his personal faith, Wahlberg said that he’d been born and raised Catholic, but that like many other young people, he’d lapsed for a while. He’d returned to the Church when he and his wife were planning to be married, so that they could marry in the Church. But had he truly found his way back? “Oh, yeah,” he said, “many years ago. And I attribute all of my success, both personally and professionally, to my faith.”

Wahlberg continues to work hard in the film industry. Since completing Arthur the King, he’s starring in two more upcoming films, and is currently in Australia working on yet another. In the end, Wahlberg claimed, “I want to make people laugh. Surprise them. But at the end of the day, I like to do things that inspire people to dig a bit deeper. To see ordinary people do extraordinary things – that’s great!”

Arthur the King opens in theaters on March 15.