As you might have heard, actor Kevin Connolly broke his leg on the set of the upcoming Entourage movie. The scene involved Connolly and Jerry Ferrara doing some sort of athletic contest with Seahawks quarterback Russell Wilson, and a freak accident ensued. But you might not be aware of how Rob Gronkowski and Julian Edelman of the Patriots, who were on the set at the same time, encouraged Connolly to tough it out.
"They wanted to shoot him up something to get him to keep going," Entourage creator Doug Ellin says. "Kevin was brave enough to go another three days with a double fracture in his leg that ultimately required surgery, and he was down for about eight weeks."
Wilson, Gronkowski and Edelman are among more than 20 athletes who shot scenes for the film, which is scheduled for release next summer. Those special appearances are consistent with the show's vibe when it ran for eight seasons on HBO and featured multiple cameos from sports stars. Ellin cited episodes with Kobe Bryant, Mark Teixeira and Tom Brady as being particularly memorable.
"Getting Tom Brady to come in and save the day when Eli Manning screwed me pretty badly," Ellin says. "We were in serious trouble because Eli Manning told me he was doing it and at the last second he bailed on me."
Without giving away any plot secrets, Ellin says the movie will have more of the sensibility from the show's earlier episodes.
"Hopefully we're getting back to the roots of the early seasons, seasons one and two," he says. "It's really about these guys and friendship, and these kind of fish out of water living in L.A. and living the high life but looking out for each other."
Mark Wahlberg, The Sports Fan
Mark Wahlberg, The Sports Fan
Tom Brady greets Wahlberg on the sidelines before the Patriots beat the Raiders in New England.
Mark Wahlberg, The Sports Fan
Kobe Bryant stops by to say hello during the 2008 NBA Finals.
Mark Wahlberg, The Sports Fan
Wahlberg and his sons watch the Lakers host the Knicks.
Mark Wahlberg, The Sports Fan
Wahlberg greets Nate Robinson of the Nuggets.
Mark Wahlberg, The Sports Fan
Wahlberg hangs backstage with Dwight Howard during a Spike TV event.
Mark Wahlberg, The Sports Fan
The 76ers have a special gift when Wahlberg visited Philadelphia.
Mark Wahlberg, The Sports Fan
Wahlberg and CC Sabathia enjoy the Laker game with their sons.
Mark Wahlberg, The Sports Fan
Wahlberg and John Salley attend a Boys & Girls Club event.
Mark Wahlberg, The Sports Fan
Mark Wahlberg joins Lala Vazquez and her husband, NBA star Carmelo Anthony, at Times's 100 Most Influential People In The World event in New York.
Mark Wahlberg, The Sports Fan
Wahlberg and Spike Lee connect at the 2011 NBA All-Star Saturday Night event in Los Angeles.
Mark Wahlberg, The Sports Fan
Wahlberg clowns with longtime NHL tough guy Tie Domi.
Mark Wahlberg, The Sports Fan
Wahlberg meets Danica Patrick at the ESPYs.
Mark Wahlberg, The Sports Fan
Wahlberg and Emmanuelle Chriqui present an ESPY to Olympic ski champ Lindsay Vonn.
Mark Wahlberg, The Sports Fan
Wahlberg meets Landon Donovan.
Mark Wahlberg, The Sports Fan
Wahlberg makes a point to Drew Brees at Pebble Beach.
Mark Wahlberg, The Sports Fan
Wahlberg is flanked by Michael Andretti and Tony Kannan at the Indy 500.
Mark Wahlberg, The Sports Fan
Wahlberg and Ferrell work on location for 'The Other Guys' movie at Knicks-Celtics game in New York.
Mark Wahlberg, The Sports Fan
Wahlberg and a costumed Derek Jeter are on location for 'The Other Guys' movie in Brooklyn.
Mark Wahlberg, The Sports Fan
Wahlberg throws the first pitch at Fenway Park.
Mark Wahlberg, The Sports Fan
Wahlberg attends a premiere with Vince Papale, whom he portrays in 'Invincible,' and Dick Vermeil.
Mark Wahlberg, The Sports Fan
Wahlberg and longtime Rangers fan Susan Sarandon check out the Stanley Cup.
Mark Wahlberg, The Sports Fan
Kasey Kahne greets Wahlberg on stage at NASCAR race in Las Vegas.
Mark Wahlberg, The Sports Fan
Wahlberg congratulates NBA star Corey Maggette for winning the video game tournament at his charity event.
Mark Wahlberg, The Sports Fan
Wahlberg stands for the national anthem with the Maloof brothers, who were then owners of the Sacramento Kings.
Mark Wahlberg, The Sports Fan
Wahlberg, Alex Rodriguez and Ken Griffey Jr. help the Boys & Girls Club launch an after-school program.
Mark Wahlberg, The Sports Fan
Wahlberg plays in the 1991 MTV Rock 'n Jock Basketball game.
