More of this Feature ADDITIONAL "DREAMCATCHER" PREMIERE COVERAGE: • Jason Lee ('Beaver') • Damian Lewis ('Jonesy') • Timothy Olyphant ('Pete') • Director Lawrence Kasdan • Steve Johnson (Prosthetic and Animatronic Effects) • Special Premiere Guests: Arlen Escarpeta and Will Estes from "American Dreams" • "Dreamcatcher" Premiere Photo Gallery • "Dreamcatcher" Premiere Video - Interviews with the Cast MORE INFORMATION ON "Dreamcatcher": • "Dreamcatcher" Photo Gallery • "Dreamcatcher" News, Trailer, and Websites • Jason Lee Interview, Photos and Movies

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Currently starring in the dramatic crime show, "Boomtown," Donnie Wahlberg has perhaps the toughest role in "Dreamcatcher." His character, Duddits, is the emotional center and the very heart of the film.

Director Lawrence Kasdan describes Wahlberg's character as being central to the story. "In a very short amount of screen time he has to have enormous impact," said Kasdan, adding, "Donnie totally embraced that challenge."

DONNIE WAHLBERG ('Duddits')

What type of research did you do to get into your character, Duddits?
I worked with a doctor in Vancouver and studied videos of a lot of people. The amazing thing was it didn't really help me with the character. I looked for problems with this mentally challenged kids, I looked for tendencies or physical mannerisms that I could borrow, but when I watched the tapes I just would zero in on how gifted the kids were. It would be like, “Yes, I see how they talk and walk, but look how smart he is.” You know what I mean? I kept zeroing in on these gifts as opposed to the flaws.

At first it was frustrating because I was like, “I can't concentrate on the problems.” But as I watched more and more, I realized this was good because my character - despite his flaws - he has a gift. He's very gifted; he's very special. So it actually gave me more confidence [to] just let the beauty of the character come out instead of worrying about the problems that he has. So that's kind of what I did.

You underwent a physical transformation for this role. What did you have to do physically to play this part?
I just did what was required. When you play a character that's so far away from who you really are, you've got to do all you can to change - physically, emotionally, mentally. It's just what the job requires, so it's just what I did.

Stephen King at the Premiere of "Dreamcatcher."
Photo ©Rebecca Murray. All Rights Reserved.