10 Modern Action Film Stars Who Failed To Meet Their Potential

4. Mark Wahlberg

Mark Wahlberg has had an interesting career, to say the least. The former leader of the Funky Bunch has worked incredibly hard over the last two decades to find himself as both one of the biggest names and highest-earning players in Hollywood. With Academy Award nominations for both acting and producing, the reformed troublemaker now sits comfortably at the top of the A-list. However, the one thing that has continued to elude him is the ability to convince as an action star. Wahlberg is at his best either when lending support to an ensemble cast, or showcasing his surprisingly great comedic sensibilities. The standout entries in his filmography only confirm this; Boogie Nights, Three Kings, The Departed, The Other Guys, The Fighter and Ted to name but a few. When he goes front-and-center into full-on action hero mode, the results are a little less successful. The Corruptor, Planet of the Apes, Shooter and Max Payne rank among the worst performances of his career, and it is no coincidence that these are the roles tailored around his action man credentials. Even his recent turn as stupidly-named Cade Yeager in Transformers: Age of Extinction sees his undoubted screen presence diluted by the titular alien robots, despite getting to wield an alien sword/gun thing. Despite numerous chances to prove otherwise, action star is not Mark Wahlberg's strongest suit.