NEW YORK, Nov. 21 (UPI) — The Other Guys, Lone Survivor, The Departed and The Italian Job actor Mark Wahlberg says he thinks parents and young adults will relate “1000 percent” to his new action-comedy, The Family Plan 2.
“That’s why people loved the first one so much. There was something in it for everybody,” Wahlberg, 54, told UPI in a Zoom interview Thursday.
Premiering Friday on Apple TV, the sequel to 2023’s The Family Plan follows Wahlberg’s Dan Morgan, an assassin who keeps trying to retire, and his wife Jessica (Michelle Monaghan), as they travel to London to surprise their daughter Nina (Zoe Colletti) and her new secret beau Omar (Reda Elazzouar) for Christmas.
“People are enjoying it so much that now this kid’s calling me ‘Daddy,'” Wahlberg said about the charming Omar.
Mark Wahlberg (R) and Kit Harington star in “The Family Plan 2,” premiering Friday. Photo courtesy of Apple TV
“They remember me being ‘the boyfriend,’ especially early on [in my career]. And now it’s kind of come full circle.”
Dan has a sixth sense and is worried about what’s going on with his daughter, according to Wahlberg.
Mark Wahlberg attends the world premiere of the Apple Original Film “The Family Plan” at the Chelsea at The Cosmopolitan of Las Vegas in 2023. File Photo by James Atoa/UPI
“That’s why he kind of drags the family off to London. It’s more about showing up and seeing what she’s up to and using the holiday as an excuse,” he explained.
“It’s like that saying, ‘Be careful what you’re looking for, you might find it.’ And, then, he has a hard time dealing with the fact that she has this boyfriend and they’re so far along in their relationship.”
Kit Harington attends the red carpet of the movie “Eternals” during the Rome Film Fest 2021. File Photo by Rocco Spaziani/UPI
As their yuletide festivities are interrupted and the Morgans must confront more dangerous people from Dan’s past, at least Dan and Jessica’s marriage is on fairly solid ground.
“After the adventure they were on in the first [movie], it only strengthened their union and here we are now,” he said.
“Dan is all about family and, so, when this new character is introduced — a little brother that he didn’t know existed — it really kind of puts Dan in a very vulnerable situation, because all he ever wanted was a little brother, in a normal life with a normal family.”
The first film saw Dan’s wife and kids shocked to learn he is a highly skilled killer and not just the mild-mannered car salesman he appears to be.
“Unlike the first one where he’s pretty much a machine and goes through most things unscathed, this time he’s really kind of let his guard down because he wants to make it work with his brother,” Wahlberg said.
“So, Michelle’s character and the kids really have to step up and they have new rules now to help us to safety, which is really cool.”
Wahlberg said he loves working with Monaghan, who was also his co-star in 2016’s Patriots Day.
“She is so consistent in how kind and thoughtful and sweet she is, and what a joy to work with,” he added. “I still haven’t seen a single flaw. We had a blast and she brings so much energy, happiness to the set.”
The film also reunites Wahlberg with his Family Plan and Arthur the King director Simon Cellan Jones.
Wahlberg said the native Brit was an excellent tour guide for his largely American cast.
“We were In his backyard and he fancies himself as a man who can speak French and knows the lay of the land over there, as well,” the actor added.
“He’s wonderful and really stepped up his game,” he said. “We kind of raise the stakes with the action and the stunts and things of that nature, which is great. But I think what really elevates it is the family dynamic. There’s more that people can relate to — the introduction of my younger brother, which really is the dramatic hook for me. … And, also, the humor. Tons of humor that people just thoroughly enjoy.”
Spoilers ahead.
Wahlberg said he had never met Game of Thrones icon Kit Harington, who plays his brother Finn in the film, but was thrilled to hear he was interested in joining the Morgan family.
“We have such wonderful chemistry with the entire family and the introduction of a new family member was equally important,” he noted. “Because he was so cool and easy to work with, it was so easy for me to keep making these mistakes, because he’s family, and I want to make it work with him.”
The movie co-stars Van Crosby and Peter Lindsey as Dan and Jessica’s sons Kyle and Max.
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