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SHAH ALAM - Hollywood actor Mark Wahlberg’s arrival in Penang has generated massive excitement among locals after he was spotted filming scenes for Netflix’s upcoming crime thriller The Big Fix.
Videos circulating online showed the 55-year-old actor stepping out of a vehicle into a street in George Town, while production crews set up equipment nearby.
The sighting quickly went viral on social media, with residents particularly amused to see Wahlberg filming alongside a silver Perodua Kelisa, sparking online jokes that the local car could now become a collector's item.
Penang Island City Council (MBPP) mayor Datuk A Rajendran confirmed that the production will take place in the state for about two weeks. Filming began on July 10, with several locations selected across the state, including Lorong Kulit, City Stadium, Batu Kawan Stadium and Macallum Field
The local production is being coordinated by Biscuit Films and is supported through the Film in Malaysia Incentive (Fimi) programme.
The project has drawn high-level local attention, including a set visit by Communications Minister Datuk Seri Fahmi Fadzil. National Film Development Corporation Malaysia (Finas) chairman Datuk Hans Isaac also confirmed meeting the star on set.
Responding to Wahlberg’s Instagram post, Hans commented: “It was nice to have met you on set yesterday and taking that photo with our Malaysian National Film Board team.”
Directed by Icelandic filmmaker Baltasar Kormákur, The Big Fix stars Wahlberg alongside British actor Riz Ahmed. The plot centres on a former Interpol officer connected to FIFA who uncovers a global match-fixing operation.
While primarily being shot in Sydney, Australia, scenes are being filmed internationally to support the global storyline. The movie features a diverse international cast, including Chin Han (Singaporean actor), Vipin Sharma (Indian actor) and Nuha Jes Izman (US-based Malaysian actress).
Wahlberg, famous for roles in The Departed, The Fighter, and the Transformers franchise, also shared a personal moment from his trip on Instagram after meeting Rev Fr Michael Raymond, parish priest of the Church of Divine Mercy. He captioned the post: “Happy Sunday brother. God bless you. Stay prayed up, from Malaysia.”
The actor’s presence adds to Penang's growing reputation as a premier filming destination, with its heritage streets, historic architecture, and cultural landscapes continuing to attract major international productions.
