Mark Wahlberg Is Into the Oscars’ Best Popular Film Award: ‘We’d Have Won a Couple’

Reactions to the Academy’s decision to create a Best Popular Film award have been almost universally negative, with many writing it off as a cynical attempt to increase ratings. At least one person is into the idea, however: Mark Wahlberg. “Maybe if they’d had the category before, we’d have won a couple of them,” the actor told Variety during the Los Angeles premiere of “Mile 22.”

“We’ve had some really commercially successful films that we think certainly warranted that kind of notoriety,” continued Wahlberg, who’s starred in such films as “Ted,” “Daddy’s Home,” and “Transformers: The last Knight.” “We make films that we want people to enjoy and if we get those kind of accolades, fantastic. If not, we make the movies for audiences to enjoy.” Wahlberg has received two Oscar nods, one of them for his supporting performance in “The Departed” — which won the Academy Award for Best Picture.

Ronda Rousey, who co-stars in “Mile 22,” is also a fan of the new category. “I might have a shot,” the MMA fighter/actor/WWE performer said. “Finally, I’m in the running for an Academy Award. I’m gunning for the outstanding achievement in popular film [award]. You heard it now. Vote for me.”