Since “The Union” was announced in 2020, with Mark Wahlberg and Halle Berry set to co-star, anticipation for the film has been high. Now, it’s officially on Netflix, and within hours of its release, it has reached the top spot worldwide, according to FlixPatrol.
In the title, Wahlberg and Berry portray the dynamic duo Mike McKenna and Roxanne Hall. McKenna is a down-to-earth construction worker whose life is suddenly upended when his high school sweetheart pulls him into a mission filled with intense spy action.
While the movie is receiving mixed reviews, there’s consensus that the two stars share incredible chemistry, with Berry’s performance adding a special sparkle to the production. So, how did Wahlberg know she was the perfect fit for the role?
Mark Wahlberg explains his choice of Halle Berry for ‘The Union’
As you may know, Wahlberg often produces the films he stars in, and “The Union” is no exception. Given his hands-on approach to casting, BOSSIP asked him why he chose Halle Berry as his co-star. He responded:
“I think there isn’t any reason that she wouldn’t be the most perfect person,” Wahlberg stated. “I mean her strength, her poise, her talent, her physicality — I mean everything. She could do it all. Her timing — comedy, all of it. And you know any guy would believe that, you know I certainly would, and any guy that I know would believe that somebody would wait 25 years hoping that she would walk through the door.”
It’s true that Halle Berry is a force in the action genre, known for doing her own stunts and bringing an undeniable shine to any project she’s part of. Wahlberg also revealed that he had to work hard to keep up with her on set, often pushing himself to go above and beyond whenever she was around.
Additionally, Wahlberg mentioned that he envisioned Berry not just for this film but for a potential trilogy if Netflix moves forward with the idea. “The Union” was conceived with the possibility of multiple installments, allowing the characters of Mike and Roxanne to evolve over time. The absence of a kiss scene is a deliberate choice, as Berry explained to Variety:
“Once they kiss, it’s over. We’re hoping that if we get to do a second one, we’ll let that chase continue. You want to see the journey — to see these two high school sweethearts find each other.”
