Mark Wahlberg was in Chicago this week filming Weekend Warriors in the West Loop, September 21–23. The Apple Studios feature, written and directed by Stephen Chbosky, has been using the name Cheesesteak while filming.
The story has Wahlberg starring as a long-haul trucker who takes his young autistic son (Indie DesRoches) on a cross-country trip to visit every NBA team so the boy can chose his favorite. Plan B and The SpringHill Company are producing the project.
The film is adapted from the 2023 German movie Weekend Rebels, based on the true story of a father and son who set out to experience every Premier League soccer team. In this latest version, the journey shifts from soccer to basketball, but the heart of the story remains, family, connection, and the discoveries made along the way.
Co-starring with Wahlberg is Vera Farmiga, whose credits include Up in the Air, The Conjuring franchise, and the Emmy-nominated Bates Motel.
Chicago provided the backdrop for several scenes during the three-day shoot, including stretches of Van Buren Street from Sangamon to Green, and from Halsted to Desplaines. Film crews and production vehicles drew plenty of attention, with people gathering to watch Wahlberg and crew members at work in the West Loop.
Wahlberg previously filmed here for Transformers: Age of Extinction and has ties to Chicago that extend beyond his on-screen work. He was often seen at his family’s restaurant, Wahlburgers, which operated for several years in River North. In addition, the Mark Wahlberg Youth Foundation has supported programs in the city, underscoring a connection that goes deeper than film schedules. For many Chicagoans, Wahlberg’s return to film here was another reminder of the actor’s ongoing ties to the city.
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