Mark Wahlberg at The 79th Annual Academy Awards (Oscars) at Kodak Theater. Hollywood, California- 25.02.07

The DEPARTED star reveals he and pal JOAQUIN PHOENIX were originally considered for the roles of ENNIS DEL MAR and JACK TWIST in the 2005 film - but both felt uncomfortable about sex act scenes in a tent.

Wahlberg explains, "I met with Ang Lee on that movie, I read 15 pages of the script and got a little creeped out. It was very graphic, descriptive - the spitting on the hand, getting ready to do the thing.

"I told Ang Lee, 'I like you, you're a talented guy, if you want to talk about it more...' Thankfully, he didn't."

The parts eventually went to JAKE GYLLENHAAL and HEATH LEDGER and, though Wahlberg feels it's a film he must see, he has yet to watch Brokeback Mountain.

He adds, "I didn't rush to see Brokeback, it's just not my deal... Obviously, it was done in taste - look how it was received."

Source: WENN