Mark Wahlberg has taken his latest production to an unexpected corner of the world — and Penang has responded with the kind of enthusiasm that only a major Hollywood arrival can generate.
The 55-year-old actor was spotted filming scenes for Netflix’s upcoming crime thriller The Big Fix on the streets of George Town, Penang, with videos and photos quickly spreading across social media showing him stepping out of a vehicle while production crews set up equipment in the surrounding area. According to The Star, the sighting went viral almost immediately — helped in no small part by the internet’s discovery that Wahlberg was filming alongside a silver Perodua Kelisa, the beloved Malaysian compact car that sparked a wave of jokes online about the vehicle’s sudden jump in collector’s value.
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Two Weeks of Filming Across Penang
Penang Island City Council (MBPP) mayor Datuk A Rajendran confirmed that the production will be based in the state for approximately two weeks, with filming having begun on July 10. Locations selected across the state include Lorong Kulit, City Stadium, Batu Kawan Stadium, and Macallum Field. The local production is being coordinated by Biscuit Films and is receiving support through Malaysia’s Film in Malaysia Incentive (Fimi) programme.
The project has attracted significant attention at the highest levels of the local industry. Communications Minister Datuk Seri Fahmi Fadzil visited the set personally, while National Film Development Corporation Malaysia (Finas) chairman Datuk Hans Isaac also confirmed meeting Wahlberg on set, later commenting on the actor’s Instagram post to mark the occasion.
What the Film Is About
The Big Fix is directed by Icelandic filmmaker Baltasar Kormakur and stars Wahlberg alongside British actor Riz Ahmed. The story follows a former Interpol officer with ties to FIFA who uncovers a sprawling global match-fixing operation — a premise that naturally demands an international shooting schedule. While Sydney, Australia serves as the film’s primary production base, scenes are being filmed across multiple international locations to support the story’s global scope.
The cast reflects that international ambition, featuring Singaporean actor Chin Han, Indian actor Vipin Sharma, and US-based Malaysian actress Nuha Jes Izman alongside the leads.
A Personal Moment Alongside the Production
Wahlberg, known for his public expressions of faith, also shared a personal highlight from his time in Malaysia on Instagram — a visit with Rev Fr Michael Raymond, the parish priest of the Church of Divine Mercy. He accompanied the post with a message blessing Malaysia and encouraging followers to stay connected to prayer.
Wahlberg’s filmography includes acclaimed titles such as The Departed, The Fighter, and the Transformers franchise. His presence in Penang adds another significant chapter to the state’s growing reputation as a premier filming destination, with its heritage streetscapes, colonial architecture, and layered cultural landscapes continuing to draw major international productions looking for something visually distinctive.
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