Mark Wahlberg is set to headline Netflix’s gripping new crime thriller, The Big Fix, alongside Riz Ahmed. Production is scheduled to begin in April 2026 in Sydney, Australia, marking an eagerly anticipated collaboration. This project, centered on the dark and complex world of match-fixing in sports, promises to deliver a tense and immersive experience that places Wahlberg and Ahmed at the heart of the action.
The thriller will bring to life a high-stakes narrative exploring corruption in sports, with Wahlberg portraying a character inspired by former Interpol agent Chris Eaton. Netflix and production company Chernin Entertainment have been developing the film for several years, signaling their commitment to telling this intense and sobering story.
Background and Development of The Big Fix
The Big Fix first emerged publicly in early 2026 but had been under development behind the scenes for nearly four years. This collaboration between Netflix and Chernin Entertainment is directed by Baltasar Kormákur, known for his work on the action film 2 Guns. The screenplay is credited to Guy Bolton and Justin Haythe, whose previous works include Hijack and Revolutionary Road, respectively.
Initial casting discussions began as early as 2023, with actress-director Emerald Fennell once attached to the project. Before Riz Ahmed accepted a leading role, Dev Patel was among the actors approached to take part. Over time, the film worked through multiple working titles such as Soccer Thriller and Dark Game, reflecting its focus on manipulation and crime in sports.
Alongside Kormákur, Chernin Entertainment producers Peter Chernin and David Ready are overseeing the film. Chernin Entertainment has a proven record with Netflix partnerships, being behind projects like the Fear Street trilogy and Rez Ball, with several more releases planned for 2026, including Apex and 11817, as well as the Kennedy series currently filming.
The Storyline Behind The Big Fix
The Big Fix is described as a cat-and-mouse thriller set within the high-pressure, corrupt world of match-fixing in one of the world’s most popular sports. The film follows three intertwined characters navigating this dangerous terrain.
One central figure is an ex-Interpol agent, modeled after Chris Eaton, who is tasked with exposing and combating corruption within the sport. This character represents the relentless fight against organized crime that taints the integrity of the game.
Opposing him is a cunning match-fixer supported by the Triads, based on Raj Perumal, a real-life individual jailed for his involvement in match-fixing. His story reveals the dangers of greed and criminal networks that manipulate sporting outcomes for illicit gain.
The third key figure is a young and gifted player caught between maintaining his personal honor and protecting his family’s safety. This character is a blend of multiple actual players affected by the scandal’s fallout.
“An international crime thriller set in the high stakes world of match-fixing in the world’s most popular sport, where purity clashes with the dirty world of organized crime. The film follows three main characters– the ex-Interpol agent charged with cleaning up the game (based on the life rights of Chris Eaton, a former police officer who helped uncover the scandal while serving as top enforcement agent for FIFA), the masterful match fixer being funded by the Triads (based on the currently incarcerated Raj Perumal, who was caught in Finland and charged with match fixing) and the promising young player who has to choose between his personal honor and the safety of his family (an amalgamation of several actual players). Eaton’s efforts were stymied by the sport’s governing bodies, but Perumal’s own sloppiness caused his demise. Unsatisfied betting on rigged games he brokered, Perumal began betting on legitimate sporting events, and losing his shirt–$10 million in one three-month period. He pressed to recover his losing bets and the schemes were uncovered. Perumal spent a year in a Finnish prison, but was turned over to Hungary, one of a number of EU countries that want him to answer for match fixing”
The script highlights Perumal’s downfall not just through his criminal acts but also his own cascading losses from gambling on legitimate events, underscoring the complexity and moral decay within the sports betting underworld. The narrative sheds light on how enforcement efforts are challenged by institutional obstacles, creating a tense backdrop for the characters’ fates.
Main Actors and Their Portrayed Roles in The Big Fix
The Big Fix’s principal cast features Mark Wahlberg and Riz Ahmed, though specific character names remain undisclosed. Wahlberg is set to embody the role inspired by Chris Eaton, portraying the ex-Interpol officer tasked with combating sports corruption. Wahlberg’s extensive filmography includes notable Netflix titles like Spenser Confidential, Me Time, and The Union, as well as critically acclaimed films such as The Departed, The Fighter, and Boogie Nights.
Riz Ahmed will take on the role based on Raj Perumal, portraying the notorious match-fixer whose addiction and errors lead to his downfall. Ahmed’s previous Netflix work includes voicing Ballister Boldheart in Nimona and starring as Elias Rahim in The OA. His critically celebrated career includes an Academy Award nomination for Sound of Metal and roles in major franchises such as Jason Bourne, Star Wars, and Venom.
While some earlier reports suggested a redemption path for Ahmed’s character, the official synopsis stresses his unraveling due to failed bets totaling $10 million, highlighting a tragic arc fueled by addiction and greed.
Production Schedule and Filming Details
Shooting for The Big Fix is slated to kick off on April 28, 2026, in Sydney, with a planned production timeline of approximately three months, wrapping by the end of July 2026. This schedule places the film’s completion comfortably ahead of a potential 2027 release.
Expected Netflix Release and Audience Anticipation
The release date for The Big Fix has not yet been officially announced. Given the filming timeline, industry insiders anticipate the film’s debut on Netflix sometime in 2027, likely during the summer or fall seasons. The project’s subject matter and high-profile cast have generated considerable interest amid concerns about systemic corruption in sports.
This upcoming film represents a significant addition to Netflix’s growing slate of original thrillers that explore the darker aspects of contemporary society, with Mark Wahlberg The Big Fix combining star power and a compelling true-story basis to capture viewers’ attention.
