Mark Wahlberg declined to read Lone Survivor book

Mark Wahlberg refused to read the book which inspired his new Navy Seal action drama Lone Survivor, because he did not want to second guess what information writer/director Peter Berg had decided to leave out of the film adaptation.

The Fighter star portrays real-life war hero Marcus Luttrell in the movie, which documents the failed 2005 Operation Red Wings mission to capture Taliban leader Ahmad Shahd, but he decided against checking out the combat survivor's own account of events in favor of just spending time with the special operations soldier.

He says, "I don't read the books before I make the movies. I've been in situations many times where you've adapted a piece of material and you always feel like something's been left out. I thought Pete did a great job of writing the screenplay. I was completely immersed in the world and felt it.

"I didn't want to then go back and read the book and start complaining about why this wasn't in there or what isn't there. You could debate that for hours."

Wahlberg insists having Luttrell on hand for advice throughout filming proved to be an invaluable source of inspiration: "For me, I was fortunate to meet the guy I was playing - spending time with him, having him throughout the entire process and helping me with anything I needed. He's a very special individual. To see the kind of man he is - I'm certainly inspired to be a better man."