Mark Wahlberg’s Son Refuses To Audition For The Family Plan 2 — Who Is He?

Mark Wahlberg almost turned The Family Plan 2 into an actual family project. The Apple TV sequel is out now, critics are mostly shrugging, and audiences seem to be having a decent time with it. But the best behind-the-scenes wrinkle? The kid playing Wahlberg's son could have been his real kid.

The near-miss casting

In The Family Plan 2, Van Crosby plays Kyle, Wahlberg's on-screen son and gamer whiz who goes by the handle Kylleboi. Off-screen, Wahlberg says one of his own sons is a serious gamer too and briefly considered auditioning for the role. Then he got a look at the workload and bailed. Classic case of 'sounds fun until you see the call sheet.'

Wahlberg told Boston.com he was fine with that. He did not want to drag his kid through a grind he wasn't committed to, especially if it meant fighting every morning about getting to set. He even admitted he was relieved when his son opted out.

For what it's worth, Wahlberg thinks the kid has real chops if he chooses to go for it. The caveat: he has to actually put the work in. Also, he never specified which son we are talking about.

Then came the regret

Wahlberg retold the story back in September to Extra's Mona Kosar Abdi at the New York City premiere of Play Dirty. He said one of his boys — either Michael or Brendan — has the acting itch but not the discipline yet. Wahlberg even asked him to audition to play his son in the first Family Plan. He passed. Cut to the sequel and suddenly the tone changed.

'Dad, I should have done that.'

Wahlberg's stance hasn't changed: no pushing, no shortcuts. If his son treats early call times for a job the same way he treats waking up for school, that's a no from Dad. Honestly, reasonable.

The Wahlberg kids, a quick primer

Wahlberg and his wife, Rhea Durham, have four kids, and he has said — via People — that parenting is his top priority and he leans on his faith for strength and guidance. If you're trying to keep everyone straight:

• Ella: born September 2, 2003, now 22.
• Michael: born March 21, 2006, now 19. Named as a nod to both Mark and Mark's father, who called him Mike growing up. Sports-obsessed as a kid. When Mark built a boxing ring at home while training for The Fighter, 4-year-old Michael was all in and started throwing legit punches at Dad.
• Brendan: born September 16, 2008, now 17. Also big on sports. Hit a half-court shot at age 10. He and Mark golf together, but Dad typically watches his sons' games from a distance so they can do their thing and build their own identity.
• Grace: born January 11, 2010, now 15.

Where things landed

Van Crosby got the role, Kylleboi lives, and Wahlberg's son got a front-row lesson in how quickly opportunities come and go in this business. If he really wants in, Dad's open — he just has to show up like a pro.

The Family Plan 2 is streaming on Apple TV.