Did Mark Wahlberg Really Shave His Head Bald For Flight Risk?

Mark Wahlberg's character in the new high-stakes thriller Flight Risk has a partially shaved head, marking an unforgettable look for the movie star. Directed by Academy Award winner Mel Gibson, Flight Risk was released in theaters on January 23, 2025. It follows the high-stakes and suspenseful story of Wahlberg's Daryl Booth, a pilot who accompanies a U.S. Air Marshall (Michelle Dockery) and a dangerous fugitive (Topher Grace) awaiting trial. Flight Risk was written by Jared Rosenberg in his feature film debut.

As depicted in the trailer of Flight Risk, Wahlberg's Daryl is a hitman who has been hired to eliminate Winston, a mob informant. The trailer already reveals Daryl's identity twist, which also acts as the hook of the new thriller. The U.S. theatrical release of Flight Risk was delayed from October18, 2024 to January 24, 2025. Flight Risk marks Mel Gibson's first directorial effort since his 2016 Oscar winner Hacksaw Ridge starring Andrew Garfield and just the fourth movie he directed in the last 20 years (Apocalypto in 2006, The Passion of the Christ in 2004).

Mark Wahlberg Partially Shaved His Head Every Day To Film Flight Risk

Wahlberg admits he feels "ridiculous" wearing fake wigs while filming

According to an exclusive story by People, Wahlberg willingly kept his head partially shaved every day during the filming of Flight Risk. "There was no bald cap. I shaved the middle and left the horseshoe around the sides," Wahlberg revealed. "They would shave the top as close to the scalp as possible every day, obviously, because we didn't have any stubble or anything. So I just hid it with a hat." Whalberg's character wears a backward hat during certain parts of Flight Risk.

Wahlberg also revealed in the interview that he's not a fan of being in the makeup chair. "I don't like the makeup chair. I mean, I don't like touchups and all that stuff. I don't like to be kind of picked and poked and prodded. I like to kind of just do my thing." He added that his kids "got a lot of laughs" from his unusual haircut and also mentioned that he feels "ridiculous" whenever he is asked to wear a fake mustache or wig while filming.

Mark Wahlberg's Bald Look For Flight Risk Didn't Last Long

Production on Flight Risk only lasted 22 days

Mark Wahlberg with his hands above his head in Flight Risk

Wahlberg didn't have to suffer through his "method" makeup decision long considering that Flight Risk was filmed over the course of just 22 days. Fortunately, it wasn't very long of a production commitment, which may have encouraged Wahlberg to go through with it for a little more than 3 weeks. Wahlberg didn't state how long the hair took to grow back but fans can rest assured that Wahlberg's unmissible look in Flight Risk is all-natural.

Source: PEOPLE

Flight Risk

Thriller

Drama

2/10

Runtime: 91 Minutes
Director: Mel Gibson
Writers: Jared Rosenberg

Cast

See All

Mark Wahlberg
Daryl Booth
Michelle Dockery
Harris

Set in a high-stakes world of international espionage, Flight Risk (2025) follows an elite team of operatives tasked with preventing a global catastrophe. Amid mounting tensions, they unravel a complex conspiracy that challenges their loyalties and skills, leading to a race against time to avert disaster.

Main Genre: Thriller
Studio(s): Davis Entertainment, Icon Productions, Hammerstone Studios
Distributor(s): Lionsgate