A rumor surfaced in early September 2024 that actor Mark Wahlberg had turned down a starring position in a $2 billion Disney film, citing the corporate’s “wokeness.” For instance, the Fb web page SpaceX Fanclub posted the declare in meme form (archived) on Sept. 8.
(Fb web page SpaceX Fanclub)
The textual content of the meme learn:
Mark Wahlberg Rejects Disney’s $2 Billion Challenge
“No Likelihood I will Work With Them Once more
Do not Want That Wokeness in My Life”
A pinned comment underneath the Fb put up shared a hyperlink to an article on Esspots.com (archived), which said:
In a surprising and confident transfer, Hollywood celebrity Mark Wahlberg has turned down a $2 billion provide from Disney to star in its newest blockbuster undertaking, citing a staunch refusal to be related to the corporate’s rising “wokeness.”
“I am performed. No likelihood I will work with them once more. I do not want that wokeness in my life,” Wahlberg allegedly advised sources near the undertaking throughout a heated cellphone name, reportedly slamming down his protein shake for added emphasis. The transfer despatched shockwaves all through the leisure trade, sparking conversations from fitness center locker rooms to company boardrooms about whether or not Wahlberg’s rejection was a principled stand or the most recent chapter in Hollywood’s ongoing cultural divide.
Disney’s $2 billion undertaking, rumored to be a cross between The Avengers and Frozen, was set to function Wahlberg within the lead position as a morally conflicted snowplow driver who uncovers his true superpowers whereas battling a military of eco-conscious but misunderstood polar bears. In keeping with insiders, the movie was anticipated to interrupt new floor within the Disney cinematic universe, weaving collectively local weather change, company accountability, and a heartfelt subplot about inclusive snowman communities.
Variations of the rumor unfold on X and Threads. One Sept. 9 X post (archived), which translated the declare into Spanish, had amassed greater than 639,000 views as of this writing.
Some social media customers appeared to interpret the rumor as a factual recounting of real-life occasions. For instance, one reply to the Spanish-language X put up, translated into English, read: “Full assist, if there have been extra courageous actors like him, they might change the world.” Equally, a touch upon the SpaceX Fanclub Fb put up read, merely: “GOOD.”
Nonetheless, there was no credible proof Wahlberg had ever made a public assertion utilizing the phrasing within the meme. A Google search for the phrases “Mark Wahlberg” and “No likelihood I will work with them once more” returned solely reposts of the meme. Likewise, a search for the phrases “Mark Wahlberg,” “Disney,” and “2 billion” discovered no respected media protection stating that Wahlberg had ever been in talks to star in a Disney movie with this funds.
Relatively, the rumor about Wahlberg turning down a $2 billion Disney undertaking originated with SpaceX Fanclub and Esspots.com — an internet site that described its output as being humorous or satirical in nature. Its About page (archived) said:
Welcome to the US web page of Esspots (A Subsidiary of SpaceXMania.com specializing in Satire and Parody Information), your one-stop vacation spot for satirical information and commentary about the US of America. Our crew of writers and editors is devoted to bringing you the most recent and biggest in faux information and absurdity, all with a wholesome dose of humor and satire.
The meme shared on SpaceX Fanclub and different social media accounts included related disclaimers, which we highlighted within the picture embedded beneath. A badge within the higher left nook of the meme, surrounded in a yellow field beneath, learn: “RATED SATIRE.” Textual content within the higher proper nook, surrounded in a crimson field, learn:
NOTHING ON THIS PAGE IS REAL
IF YOU BELIEVE ANYTHING WE POST
THEN YOU’RE POTATO CROP
(Fb web page SpaceX Fanclub)
Esspots.com and its related SpaceX Fanclub Fb web page, each of that are a part of the SpaceXMania community of internet sites and social media accounts, have a historical past of constructing up tales for shares and feedback, many of which Snopes has coated prior to now.
Snopes has beforehand addressed related satirical claims about actors turning down high-budget Disney tasks, together with the assertion that Sylvester Stallone rejected a $500 million “woke” film provide and a rumor that Denzel Washington declined a $50 million undertaking, saying the corporate was “simply too woke.”
For background, right here is why we alert readers to rumors created by sources that decision their output humorous or satirical.
