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Currently playing on Netflix is their crime drama “Spenser Confidential,” directed byPeter Berg and starring Mark Wahlberg and Winston Duke and directed by Peter Berg.
The film is adapted from the novel “Robert B. Parker’s Wonderland,” written by Ace Atkins. The book is part of the Spenser series — named after a fictional character in the series of detective novels initially written by American mystery writer Parker and later by Atkins. The action-comedy also co-stars Alan Arkin, Iliza Shlesinger, Austin Post, Bokeem Woodbine, Marc Maron and Post Malone.
Spenser (Mark Wahlberg) – an ex-cop better known for making trouble than solving it – just got out of prison and is leaving Boston for good. But first he gets roped into helping his old boxing coach and mentor, Henry (Alan Arkin), with a promising amateur. That’s Hawk (Winston Duke), a brash, no-nonsense MMA fighter convinced he’ll be a tougher opponent than Spenser ever was. When two of Spenser’s former colleagues turn up murdered, he recruits Hawk and his foul-mouthed ex-girlfriend, Cissy (Iliza Shlesinger), to help him investigate and bring the culprits to justice.
For Duke, who is best known for his breakout role as M’Baku in the Marvel Cinematic Universe films Black Panther, Avengers: Infinity War, and Avengers: Endgame, this film offers him an opportunity to be shown outside of the Marvel world. Last month, he starred in the critically acclaimed Sundance film, Nine Days, which was picked up by Sony Pictures Classics.
In speaking exclusively with Blackfilm.com, Duke goes over his role in Spenser Confidential, working with Wahlberg and Berg, who have worked together numerous time and his upcoming projects.
You’re playing Hawk. This is part of a book that most people are familiar with, especially with the TV series. What was the attraction to doing this?
Winston Duke: The attraction was really collaborating with Mark Wahlberg and Peter Berg. I got a personal phone call from Peter Berg one day. It was one of the last days I was shooting on Us. He just told me that he loved my work and wanted to work with me. They had a project that they were building with Netflix. It was a retelling of this classic story. They wanted me to check it out. So I read the script. Mark Wahlberg then called me a couple of days after and, same thing. It meant a lot that I was getting personal phone calls from these guys. I trust their ability to make something really cool and great. I wanted a bit of a departure from that deep happy world of Jordan Peele so I agreed and we made something really cool.
How would you best describe Hawk and how is he different from either the book or the TV series?
Winston Duke: Well, our arc is really a product of the now. He is a very modern day hipster version of Hawk. He is a UFC fighter. He is a guy looking for family. He’s into all the new age faith beliefs. He’s a guy that’s nutritionally sound, with his oat milk and food and it’s very much a product of the now. Spenser is the old relic. They are at odds when we first meet them until they find a balance with each other.
Whenever whenever anybody takes a role there is a little bit of themselves in the character. What part of Hawk is you?
Winston Duke: I think the the one that’s very deeply attached to the family and has a really clear sense of justice and I think that’s the whole thing about Hawk that I found so attractive. That no matter he looks or so on or behaves or is manifested, his attention and moral compass shines through very clearly.
What’s interesting about this movie is that Mark’s Spenser is the one constantly getting beat up and you’re not and you’re the fighter.
Winston Duke: Right. I think it’s because Hawk has an understanding and awareness that he can be present without taking up too much space. I think Spencer goes around and makes himself be known and takes up as much space as he can. And that brings him at odds with his landscape, with people who don’t want him to be there. Hawk has a really great way of making himself hyper visible or invisible whenever he needs to be and that’s what I really liked about the character. He is able to just be incredibly astute were Spenser has to get mauled by a wolf to get some information. Hawk sees the license plate off of one glance, and he’s far more effective.
How was working with Mark and Peter? They’ve worked together on numerous occasions. You’re the new one added to this team. How was working along with the both of them?
Winston Duke: I really had to find my own language within their dynamic and it was really a great challenge to do that. It was a really cool opportunity to find my own way of existing within that pre existing relationship like you just said. I wanted my character to have a little bit of a juxtaposition to their style and aesthetic. So whereas Peter Berg has this aesthetic where he has a lot of things going at once. We have four to five cameras shooting every day. There was a lot of kinetic energy just like all the time on that set that really fed into the pace and how that world functions. I wanted Hawk to feel very still very subtle and very much grounded. So that he is a pillar of stability for the audience. Anytime he’s on screen you have to watch him You have to pay attention to him because he’s pulling attention because he’s so still and that was a language I had to establish for myself within that dynamic. It worked really well.
Is there a possibility Hawk can get his own film?
Winston Duke: From your lips to God’s ears. So I hope something like that as possible. But I’m just happy to be working my friend.
Congrats on Nine Days. I saw it at Sundance and that it was picked up for distribution: What goes into the projects that you say yes to?
Winston Duke: I always wonder what would be different with me telling that story versus any other actor. If I think it’s something that can be both edifying to me and to an audience, I tend to do it.
I remember when you appeared on CBS’ Person of Interest, but the last two years has put you on a bigger map. How are you handling fame? How do you stay humble?
Winston Duke: I keep my family really close to me. I keep my family that reminds me of who I am and where I came from and where I’m going. I also try to create a mission for myself. So I know where my compass is leading me because of that mission.
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