Mark Wahlberg Shows His Sensitive Side

Action Star Plays High School Science Teacher In "The Happening"

(CBS)  Mark Wahlberg is known for his strong physical presence, captured in movies like "Boogie Nights," "The Departed," and "Invincible."

In the apocalyptic thriller "The Happening," opening Friday, the Oscar-nominated actor plays a character more known for his mind: high school science teacher Elliot Moore.

In real life, Wahlberg was a high school dropout who hated science.

"I had a really good-looking science teacher and all I ever did was pay attention to her," Wahlberg told The Early Show co-anchor Harry Smith.

The film, which director and screenwriter M. Night Shyamalan originally described to Wahlberg as "Kramer Vs. Kramer" meets "The Birds," is definitely a departure for the actor. But he's already back in action mode, working on a film based on the video game "Back To Pain."

Night told Wahlberg that after "The Happening" he should do more serious "Tom Hanks" roles and never carry a gun on screen again.

"I told him, 'after this, I need to carry a gun,'" Wahlberg said.

Find out why Whalberg wore a cast to his visit to The Early Show and who loves beating him up the most in the following clip.