Mark Wahlberg’s production company, Unrealistic Ideas, to release two films on fitness legend Jack LaLanne, a documentary & narrative feature
Fitness icon and legend Jack LaLanne is getting the feature film treatment. The Hollywood Reporter has announced that Mark Wahlberg will be producing both a documentary and feature film about the life and impact of Jack LaLanne – slated to start production in 2024.
Mark Wahlberg has always been adjacent to the bodybuilding industry for some time now. He has always maintained a somewhat sculpted and shredded physique regardless of his roles. And in 2013, he played an amateur bodybuilder turned criminal alongside Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson in the film Pain & Gain. Now it seems that he will be dipping his toes back into the bodybuilding and fitness world, even if it is behind the scenes, with the announcement of a Jack LaLanne feature film and documentary.
The Father Of Fitness, Legend, and Icon: Jack LaLanne
Jack LaLanne is one of the most iconic old school legends in the fitness world. Before weightlifting and fitness became an entire industry, LaLanne was a true guru of exercise and nutrition. He opened what many consider to be the first fitness club in the United States – a gym in Oakland way back in the 1930s. He used his passion to build a platform and start educating (and entertaining) the masses about the power of fitness.
Jack LaLanne eventually became the host of a fitness television program called The Jack LaLanne Show, which aired from 1951 to 1985. LaLanne was also well known for his entertaining and shocking feats of strength including swimming to Alcatraz while handcuffed – at 60 years old.
Many stars in the bodybuilding world have spoken passionately about the impact Jack LaLanne had on the industry – including Arnold Schwarzenegger. The late Eric The Trainer also often spoke of being inspired by LaLanne.
Mark Wahlberg and his production company, Unrealistic Ideas, will partner with Wonderfilm Media and Jack LaLanne’s wife, Elaine, alongside her family on both a documentary and a narrative feature film. The documentary is already under production. Whereas the feature film is not set to start production until spring 2024. Scot Armstrong, writer of the films Old School and Semi-Pro has been hired to script the movie.
Elaine LaLanne released a statement about the upcoming projects:
“When Mark Wahlberg first came to visit with me, I recognized the parallels between Jack and Mark. I believed he and his company were the right ones to bring Jack’s legacy forward. After meeting with [Wonderfilm’s] Jeff and Bret, I knew we had the perfect team.”
Could we potentially see Mark Wahlberg play the title role in the Jack LaLanne feature film? It seems the production is still too early into development to know for sure. But the project gives further exposure to the long history and passion of bodybuilding and fitness. It also shows just how far bodybuilding has continued to expand into the mainstream.
More updates are sure to be incoming as the project moves along – such as cast and director – which may help give more of an idea what kind of scope the film will have in the larger film marketplace. Until then, stick by the Generation Iron Fitness Network for news on all things bodybuilding, strength sports, and fitness.
