Netflix Acquires Mark Wahlberg Vehicle Our Man From Jersey

May 14, 2020

In a lucrative seven-figure deal from the streaming service, Netflix has acquired the rights to the in-development Mark Wahlberg (Spenser Confidential) vehicle Our Man From Jersey, according to Deadline.

The story, based on a pitch from Stephen Levinson (Entourage), is being described as a “blue collar 007,” which fits neatly into Wahlberg’s wheelhouse of action star roles. The screenplay for the project is currently being penned by David Guggenheim (Safe House).

In addition to starring, Wahlberg is set to produce the film alongside Levinson, who he first collaborated with for the HBO comedy Entourage and has since become a frequent partner on projects including Contraband, Broken City, Lone Survivor, Wahlburgers, The Gambler, Deepwater Horizon, Daddy’s Home 2, Patriots Day, Shooter, Mile 22 and Instant Family. Sources report that the duo have been using the quarantine to hold FaceTime meetings in search of the right person to pen the script, and after clicking with Guggenheim, they handed in a 36-page outline to the streaming service that resulted in the deal.

Guggenheim previously worked with Netflix for the revived third season of Designated Survivor following its cancellation at ABC, though the Kiefer Sutherland-starring political thriller was cancelled a second time. He also acted as executive producer on the holiday fantasy comedy The Christmas Chronicles starring Kurt Russell, which currently has a sequel in post-production from director Chris Columbus (Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone).

Wahlberg made his debut with the streaming service in early March on the action comedy Spenser Confidential, an adaptation of the Robert B. Parker Spenser For Hire novels, which became a smash hit for Netflix, reportedly being streamed in over 85 million households in the first six weeks and becoming the most-watched original film before being overtaken by the Chris Hemsworth-starring Extraction last month.