Mark Wahlberg is teaming up once more with his Lone Survivor director Peter Berg for a big screen remake of a classic 70s TV show. A modern update on The Six Million Dollar Man, the series which starred Lee Majors as former astronaut Steve Austin, this time around the stakes are being raised. And by stakes, we mean it’s now landed a flashier, Tony Stark-esque new title – The Six Billion Dollar Man.
The original, for those unfamiliar with it, depicted the life of Austin after he suffers a near-fatal plane crash, and subsequently is fitted with a full order of bionic limbs and told to go and do secret agent-y stuff for the government.
The Weinstein Company subsidiary Dimension Films are handling the adaptation, and are aiming to commence shooting next year in time for a 2016 release. This will liven up Wahlberg’s already-packed slate. He’s re-teaming with his The Other Guys co-star Will Ferrell for comedy, Daddy’s Home, before he delves into the dramatic for J.C. Chandor’s Deepwater Horizon.
If his last few years are any indication, Wahlberg’s seemingly cut out for more variety than his first forays into acting suggested. With an Academy Award nomination preceding him wherever he goes, his clout is opening more doors than ever before. Who knows, this could be his first bona-fide action franchise that he’s proven he could definitely handle. Should The Six Billion Dollar Man be a success, there’s every chance it’ll earn a sequel. Or two. But let’s not get ahead of ourselves, there’s still no writer attached, as Deadline went on to say that many are currently circling the pic.
So, The Six Billion Dollar Man – is this going to be Wahlberg’s Bourne franchise? As usual, let us know what you think in the comments section below.
