Mel Gibson says he wasn't surprised Mark Wahlberg faced resistance making 'Father Stu': 'People want it'

Zack Sharf Mark Wahlberg’s new movie “Father Stu” tells the true story of Stuart Long, an amateur boxer who becomes a Catholic priest while suffering from inclusion body myositis. The film is way more than just an acting gig for Wahlberg, who recently told Insider that he spent “millions and millions of dollars” of his own money to partially self-fund “Father Stu” when no other financial backer would take on the project.

waters where many have claimed to be healed ever since the Virgin Mary was said to have appeared there in the 19th century. While he was not physically rehabilitated, he did emerge with an overwhelming sense of peace — and renewed conviction in his faith. “He wrote about it personally.

Rosalind Ross is making her directorial debut with Mark Walhberg’s passion project Father Stu, which hits theaters on April 13th. Ross is not only the director but the writer of the film, which tells the true story of Stuart Long, an injured boxer who moves to Los Angeles to become an actor. While scraping by as a supermarket clerk, he meets Sunday school teacher Carmen (Teresa Ruiz) and starts going to church to impress her.

Mark Wahlberg has been thinking about what the future holds for him, The actor, who has been on the road promoting his upcoming film "Father Stu," said his new career goal is to combine his faith with his films. "I feel like this is starting a new chapter for me in that, doing things like this – real substance – can help people," the 50-year-old recently told Entertainment Tonight. "I definitely want to focus on making more," he shared.

Easter, Mark Wahlberg is offering us a gift as sweet as a box of Peeps or a chocolate rabbit — and just as nutritious.“Father Stu” is a loving biopic of a one-time real-life hell-raising, blue-collar hustler who somehow becomes a white-collared Roman Catholic priest. So why is it ultimately as hollow as that chocolate bunny?You can instantly see why Wahlberg — the star, executive producer and financier — was attracted.

Teresa Ruiz is a Mexican actress representing Latinas in Hollywood with a sense of power, grace, and humility. Born in Santiago Matatlan, Oaxaca, Mexico, Ruiz is known best for her role as Queen Isabella Baptist in Narcos: Mexico. She has several films coming out soon, with the first being Father Stu, (in theaters April 13th) where she acted alongside Hollywood legends Mark Wahlberg and Mel Gibson. Written and directed by Rosalind Ross, her talent radiates throughout the film, and her character Carmen is a bright light full of faith, wit, and love.

Owen Gleiberman Chief Film CriticThe ad campaign for “Father Stu” — before-and-after photos with Mark Wahlberg first looking sleazy in a mug shot, then as a clean-cut clergyman glancing up at the heavens — makes you think it’s going to be a movie about the world’s toughest priest. It is, but not in the way you expect.

Mark Wahlberg is opening up about filming his latest project “Father Stu” while his mother, Alma, passed away.

Drinking olive oil packs a major punch. Mark Wahlberg admitted that gaining 30 pounds for his new film, "Father Stu," took a toll on him.The actor stars as Stuart Long, an amateur boxer-turned-priest who suffers from a degenerative and incurable muscular disorder. The story is based on the real-life Father Stuart Long, who leaned on faith during tough times.

star Mark Wahlberg wants to be a part of more uplifting content.

Mark Wahlberg may be entering a very different era.

Mark Wahlberg is reflecting on his latest movie role.

Mark Wahlberg is reaching a point in his life where it's becoming harder and harder to leave his family behind for months-long projects, which explains why the actor says the curtain is slowly inching to a close when it comes to his career in Hollywood.The 50-year-old actor spoke with ET's Cassie DiLaura at his hometown screening in Boston for his latest film, , where he opened up about family, faith and his acclaimed career as an actor and producer. Father Stu, the real-life story of a washed-up boxer who finds new purpose as a priest, is a passion project for Wahlberg, a devout Catholic himself who, as a father of four, says he's toeing the line between imparting his faith on his teenage children and not being assertive. And it's projects like, drenched with substance, that really gets Wahlberg going these days.«I feel like this is starting a new chapter for me in that, now, doing things like this — real substance — can help people,» he said.

Mark Wahlberg is reaching a point in his life where it's becoming harder and harder to leave his family behind for months-long projects, which explains why the actor says the curtain is slowly inching to a close when it comes to his career in Hollywood.The 50-year-old actor spoke with ET's Cassie DiLaura at his hometown screening in Boston for his latest film, , where he opened up about family, faith and his acclaimed career as an actor and producer. Father Stu, the real-life story of a washed-up boxer who finds new purpose as a priest, is a passion project for Wahlberg, a devout Catholic himself who, as a father of four, says he's toeing the line between imparting his faith on his teenage children and not being assertive. And it's projects like, drenched with substance, that really gets Wahlberg going these days.«I feel like this is starting a new chapter for me in that, now, doing things like this — real substance — can help people,» he said.

Mark Wahlberg is back in his hometown!