Mark Wahlberg explains why he apologized to 'Flight Risk' cast after portraying villain in the film

LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA: Mark Wahlberg embraced a rare chance to play the villain in his latest thriller 'Flight Risk.'

The 53-year-old actor portrays a hitman masquerading as a pilot who targets US marshal Madelyn, played by Michelle Dockery, and fugitive Winston, portrayed by Topher Grace.

Mark Wahlberg opens up on staying in character while filming 'Flight Risk'

The film 'Flight Risk'examines their struggle for control aboard a small passenger aircraft in the Alaskan wilderness.

This marks Mark Wahlberg’s first collaboration with Mel Gibson as a director though the two have shared the screen in previous films like 'Father Stu' and 'Daddy’s Home 2.'

After Gibson sent him the script, Wahlberg was drawn to the villainous role without specifying which part he had in mind.

“I was locked into the part the whole time. So if we weren't shooting, I was like either off in the corner by myself or I just would kind of go back to my little dressing room and just sit there,” Wahlberg told People.

Mark Wahlberg says he wasn't 'very engaging' off-camera

Mark Wahlberg's intense approach to the role affected his on-set behavior. Besides, the film’s brief 22-day tight shooting schedule allowed him to focus fully on the role.

"I apologized at the end because I wasn't very engaging off camera or outside of shooting, but I was just in [that] head space," Wahlberg said.

He described his character as a tormentor to his adversaries. “He didn’t even say which role he envisioned me playing,” said Wahlberg.

"I was like the guy who was like constantly picking at them, poking them and prodding them, you know, from the back of the plane the whole entire time," he shared.

Mark Wahlberg kept busy ideating how to play a particular role

Mark Wahlberg admitted it had been a long time since he played such a character, with his last villainous role dating back to 1996’s 'Fear.'

“I don’t know, I just kept all these ideas popping into my head about how I would play that particular role,” he shared, describing his creative process.

'Flight Risk' is the first film directed by Mel Gibson to feature Mark Wahlberg, though the two previously acted together.

In the film, Wahlberg’s character engages in a verbal and physical battle with his co-stars while navigating the Alaskan wilderness. The movie is now showing in theaters.