In August 2014, Mark Wahlberg was cast as Mike Williams, a real-life electronics technician on the Deepwater Horizon oil rig.
At the time of the blowout, Gina Rodriguez was cast as Andrea Fleytas, a woman on the bridge on board the Deepwater Horizon who frantically tried to contact the Coast Guard.
Actors Mark Wahlberg, Kate Hudson, Kurt Russell, and Gina Rodriguez onstage during the intro at the 2016 Toronto International Film Festival Premiere of “Deepwater Horizon” at Roy Thomson Hall on September 13, 2016 in Toronto, Canada (Credit: Dara Kushner / INFphoto)
When the producers of Deepwater Horizon approached Mark Wahlberg to play the older male lead, he was surprised.
He had expected to be cast as the younger lead, and he even started reaching out to older actors like Jack Nicholson to play opposite him.
Mark Wahlberg poses with real-life Deepwater Horizon survivor Mike Williams and director Peter Berg at the European Premiere of “Deepwater Horizon” at Cineworld Leicester Square on September 26, 2016, in London, England (Credit: Ian West / PA Images / Startraksphoto)
However, the producers were confident that Wahlberg could bring the right mix of experience and authenticity to the role of Mike Williams, the real-life electronics technician who survived the Deepwater Horizon oil rig explosion.
During the premiere of “Deepwater Horizon,” a 2016 American biographical disaster film, on September 13, 2016, at the Toronto International Film Festival (TIFF), Gina Rodriguez was 32 years old, Mark Wahlberg was 45 years old, Dylan O’Brien was 25 years old, and Kurt Russell was 65 years old.
Deepwater Horizon was Dylan O’Brien and Mark Wahlberg’s first collaboration together, and they’d go on to co-star in the 2021 American science fiction action film Infinite (Credit: Lionsgate)
Dylan O’Brien was cast as Caleb Holloway, and Kurt Russell joined the film as Jimmy Harrell, the rig’s captain. John Malkovich was cast as Donald Vidrine, a BP representative who fatally underestimated the dangers of working on the rig.
Kate Hudson was cast as Felicia Williams, Mike’s wife, marking her first on-screen pairing with her stepfather, Kurt Russell. Although they shared no dialogue in the film, Emma Stone and Kristen Stewart refused roles.
While the cast of Deepwater Horizon brought the intensity of the real-life disaster to the screen, their appearances at the 2016 Toronto International Film Festival brought a different kind of attention—particularly Gina Rodriguez, who dazzled on the red carpet with her stunning fashion choice.
Gina Rodriguez Stuns in Cleavage-Baring Gown at Toronto Film Festival
Gina Rodriguez captured everyone’s attention as she sauntered down the red carpet donning a captivating Badgley Mischka Spring 2016 ensemble (Credit: Jaime Espinoza / WENN)
In September 2016, Gina Rodriguez arrived at the 2016 Toronto International Film Festival for the Toronto premiere of the 2016 American biographical disaster film Deepwater Horizon.
Gina Rodriguez’s black and grey floral embroidered ruffled split gown featured a v-neck design elevated by an alluring black tulle tie waist and an elegant white underlining (Credit: Jaime Espinoza / WENN)
The then-32-year-old actress turned heads in a cleavage-bearing, plunging neckline floral laser cut gown overflowing with whimsy.
Gina Rodriguez dazzles at the 2016 Toronto International Film Festival in a floral embroidered Badgley Mischka gown, paired with a chic black tulle belt
Gina’s stunning dress is from the Badgley Mischka Spring 2016 Couture collection.
Gina Rodriguez’s hair, artfully pinned up, and the finishing touch of pink glossy lips added a final flourish, encapsulating her look with an air of sophistication and allure
The piece has a sheer floral lace overlay that cascades down on one side. Gina wore her dress cinched at the waist with a black tulle belt.
Gina Rodriguez exudes the ethereal charm of a blossoming garden in this flowing gown at the 2016 Toronto International Film Festival premiere of “Deepwater Horizon” in Toronto, Canada on September 13, 2016
This was a fantastic gown choice for the actress, and we love how feminine she looked.
Gina Rodriguez poses with Kate Hudson at the 2016 Toronto International Film Festival premiere of “Deepwater Horizon” in Toronto, Canada on September 13, 2016
The “Jane the Virgin” actress also shared the red carpet with her co-star Kate Hudson, who was clad in a sheer black number.