Mark Wahlberg looked nearly unrecognizable as he was seen on set of his upcoming film “By Any Means.”

The actor, who plays a mob hitman in the crime thriller, was photographed in full wardrobe with chin and nose prosthetics as he waved to cameras while filming in Atlanta Wednesday.

The famously muscular star, 53, also appeared to have bulked up for the role as he sported a brown suit.

Wahlberg’s gangster transformation also included a red button-up shirt and gold jewelry, including a watch, rings and a necklace.

The look was completed with a pair of aviator sunglasses and a toothpick in his hand.

The actor’s hair was notably longer than usual and was styled to the side with thick sideburns.

He was joined on set by his co-star Yahya Abdul-Mateen II as they started production.

The movie, which is based on a true story, follows “a notorious mafia hitman (Wahlberg) and a young Black FBI agent [as they] team up to investigate the murders of civil rights leaders in 1966 Mississippi,” according to a synopsis.

Giancarlo Esposito, Josh Lucas, Ethan Embry and Nicole Beharie also star in the film.

This wouldn’t be the first time Wahlberg has put on weight for a role.

He packed on the pounds for his leading role in the 2022 biographical drama “Father Stu,” in which he portrayed a boxer-turned-Catholic priest.

“I put on 30 pounds and went from being a guy who was in fighting shape to a guy who was wheelchair-bound, suffering from a rare muscular degenerative disease,” Wahlberg told Entertainment Weekly of his transformation.

“I was just turning 50 by the time we finished the movie, and I was eating 11,000 calories a day. That drastic weight gain really took a toll on me over the course of the last seven, eight months.”

• Mickey Rourke’s manager, Kimberly Hines, confirmed in a statement shared with PEOPLE that he plans to pursue legal action against Celebrity Big Brother UK over an alleged pay dispute
• News of his pursuit comes after Rourke departed the reality series for making controversial comments about his fellow housemate JoJo Siwa
• In the aftermath of the controversy, the Wrestler actor’s manager said the show “now refusing to pay Mickey his full agreed-upon fee”

Mickey Rourke is getting lawyers involved.

After his controversial exit from Celebrity Big Brother UK, the actor, 72, is pursuing legal action against the reality show over an alleged pay dispute.

In a statement shared with PEOPLE, Rourke’s manager, Kimberly Hines, addressed his early departure and claimed that the series had disrespected the star by “publicly embarrassing him” and refusing to pay him his dues.

“There’s no question that when Big Brother booked Mickey Rourke, they were fully aware of both his public persona and how it aligned with his Hollywood rebel image,” Hines wrote, adding that the show knew his presence would be “explosive, controversial and attention-grabbing — and that’s exactly what they got, and more.”

She claimed that the show had “promoted his provocative personality,” something Rourke is known for and has been well documented in the press, especially since the show has aired.

“In our discussions, Big Brother was made fully aware of Mickey Rourke’s background and lifestyle,” the statement continued. “Yet rather than handle it professionally, they took it too far — publicly embarrassing him and using his removal as a marketing tool. That’s not just unprofessional; it’s deeply disrespectful and damaging.”

“To add insult to injury, Big Brother is now refusing to pay Mickey his full agreed-upon fee. His legal team is currently pursuing the matter,” Hines revealed.

She concluded her statement by claiming that Big Brother‘s use of his “name and image” is “an insult to a true cinematic icon” after a “long and accomplished career.”

“It disregards his legacy and crosses the line of basic respect — both within the industry and on a personal level,” Hines said.

On Saturday, April 12, a spokesperson for Celebrity Big Brother told PEOPLE that Rourke had agreed to leave the show following a discussion about his “use of inappropriate language and instances of unacceptable behavior.” Though no physical altercation took place, the representative claimed that Rourke used language that was considered “threatening and aggressive.”

His exit came shortly after The Wrestler star received a warning for his inappropriate comments towards housemate JoJo Siwa about her sexuality.

After Siwa, 21, revealed she liked girls and her partner was non-binary on the April 9 episode, Rourke claimed, “If I stay longer than four days, you won’t be gay anymore,” which prompted her to reply, “I can guarantee I’ll still be gay and I’ll still be in a very happy relationship.”

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Rourke went on to say that he would “tie” up Siwa before fellow housemates Hughes, 32, and Ella Rae redirected the conversation. Later, while talking about Big Brother‘s voting process, Rourke claimed, “I’m going to vote the lesbian out real quick.”

In another instance, the actor declared, “I need a f–,” referring to the British slang use of the word as “cigarette,” but then gestured toward Siwa and said, “I’m not talking about you.”

Serena Williams shut down claims that her 2025 Super Bowl cameo was a dig at ex-boyfriend Drake.

“Absolutely not,” Williams told Time in a profile published Wednesday when asked about the rumors.

“I would never do that,” she continued. “And that was sad, that anyone would ever think that.”

The tennis icon, 43, admitted that she understands how people could jump to that conclusion.

“I respect how they could. Obviously, I can see how someone would think that,” she said. “But, absolutely not.”

As for where she stands with the “Passionfruit” rapper, Williams said she has “never had negative feelings towards him.”

“We’ve known him for so many years,” Williams, who reportedly dated Drake on and off from 2011 to 2015, said.

The athlete did the crip walk on the field during Kendrick Lamar’s Super Bowl LIX halftime performance of his Drake diss track, “Not Like Us.” (Williams famously pulled out the same choreography after winning the “Golden Slam” title in 2012.)

The Grand Slam champion admitted to the outlet that she wasn’t sure if she regretted participating in the performance after facing an onslaught of backlash.

One critic, Stephen A. Smith, went so far as to suggest that Williams’ husband Alexis Ohanian should divorce her over the cameo.

“If I’m married and my wife is going to join trolling her ex, go back to his ass,” the ESPN commentator said at the time, adding, “’Cause, clearly, you don’t belong with me. What you worried about him for and you’re with me? Bye. Bye.”

But Williams wasn’t bothered by his hot take.

“I thought it was hilarious,” Williams told the mag. “He’s allowed to have his personal opinion. But did you see my husband’s remark? It was so eloquent.”

The Reddit co-founder, who shares two kids with Williams, responded by taking to X, simply writing, “This is bigger than the music.” 

Williams insisted that she has more important things to worry about than getting back at Drake.

“And I’m like, dude, like, we literally are investing in the world, both of us,” she said. “We’re investing in women and in sports. This is literally the last thing on our minds. Come on.”