Mark Wahlberg’s new film “The Gambler” hits theaters on Christmas Day. 

Jim Bennett (Mark Wahlberg) is a risk taker.  Both an English professor and a high-stakes gambler, Bennett bets it all when he borrows from a gangster (Michael Kenneth Williams) and offers his own life as collateral.  Always one step ahead, Bennett pits his creditor against the operator of a gambling ring (Alvin Ing) and leaves his dysfunctional relationship with his wealthy mother (Jessica Lange) in his wake.  He plays both sides, immersing himself in an illicit, underground world while garnering the attention of Frank (John Goodman), a loan shark with a paternal interest in Bennett’s future.  As his relationship with a student (Brie Larson) deepens, Bennett must take the ultimate risk for a second chance…

From the film: Mark Wahlberg, Brie Larson, Michael Kenneth Williams, Anthony Kelley, Domenick Lombardozzi, Richard Schiff, Alvin Ing and Director Rupert Wyatt, all walked the red carpet at AMC Lincoln Square. Read what they told us below:

Mark Wahlberg

What attracted you to the project?

I love the original, but I really love Bill Monahan – he wrote The Departed, he writes some of the most amazing dialogue and characters and – he was writing another screenplay for us at the time, American Desperado and also asked me to be in his movie which he just directed, Mojave, so I felt like, “Wow, four Monahan movies for me under my belt.” That’s a very rare feat for an actor so I had to jump at the opportunity.

 

Dominick Lombardozzi

What attracted you to the project?

You know, first, I was a fan of the ’74 version. Good friends with Mark. I’ve known Mark for a really really long time. We’ve worked together back in ’97. But Mark’s doing the movie, John Goodman, Rupert’s directing, it’s pretty easy to say with a wet sign you know?

What was it like working with Mark and Rupert?

Well working with Mark was working with my buddy. So I’ve known him for so long. Big fan of Rupert because big fan of his movies, especially a big fan of Planet of the Apes. I remember going to work and just him talking to me- he’s just a gent. Really clear and understanding, he respects actors and he’s really open to a lot of different things and he’s just a very very pleasant man to work with.

Alvin Ing

What attracted you to the project?

I loved doing the show because it’s a very realistic portrayal of a real gambler whose compulsion is to gamble and he can’t deny. He has to do it. So psychologically, it’s very interesting seeing what happens to him. So I liked doing the movie a lot.

And how was working with Rupert?

I think he’s the greatest. He was so kind to me, so wonderfully kind. And I enjoyed him a lot.

And Mark?

And Mark too. They were very easy to work with. Mark was very kind to me and Rupert was very tactful in his directions with me. I really enjoyed it.

What are some of your favorite gambling movies?

Well I liked the original, with James Caan. And I can’t remember too many others. But I liked all kinds of movies.

Have you ever taken a career gamble and did it pay off?

Well I’ll tell you the truth- my uncle was a compulsive gambler. And when he died, he died broke. He lost all of his money in Vegas. So it was a lesson, it was a hard lesson since it was my uncle.  

-Catherina Gioino