Mark Wahlberg heads back to Netflix in "blue collar 007" Our Man From Jersey

Mark Wahlberg heads back to Netflix in “blue collar 007” Our Man From Jersey

May 15th 2020, 10:58am

Last Updated on August 5, 2021

Netflix has acquired a star vehicle for Mark Wahlberg in a mega 7-figure deal that earns them the rights to an original film called OUR MAN FROM JERSEY. The project is set to be scripted by SAFE HOUSE writer, David Guggenheim.

The film is being described as a "blue-collar 007." Not much else is known about the project but the movie will be produced by Wahlberg and Stephen Levinson, who actually brought the idea to the streamer. Wahlberg and Levinson are just coming off SPENSER CONFIDENTIAL, which was seen in part or whole by 85 million people, making it the second most-watched feature film for Netflix. While all of these meetings are being done remotely due to the COVID-19 pandemic, Wahlberg and Levinson had been taking Facetime calls with various writers and once they reached Guggenheim, all parties clicked and now final deals are being closed.

Together, the trio has growing ties with Netflix. Guggenheim is the creator and executive producer of the Kiefer Sutherland series Designated Survivor which moved to Netflix after a run of two seasons on ABC. He also is the executive producer of the Kurt Russell-led CHRISTMAS CHRONICLES, which is now a franchise for the Netflix feature group. Guggenheim and Netflix’s head of feature film Scott Stuber worked together on his first spec script for SAFE HOUSE which eventually landed at Universal Pictures in 2021 and starred Denzel Washington and Ryan Reynolds.

The acquisition of OUR MAN FROM JERSEY adds to a growing roster of original films for Netflix that is led by high-profile stars. Wahlberg has already seen success with SPENSER CONFIDENTIAL for the streamer and, recently, the Chris Hemsworth-led EXTRACTION became Netflix's biggest premiere for an original film on the platform. It was also recently announced that Netflix landed the spousal super-powered action-comedy, BALL AND CHAIN, which stars Dwayne Johnson and Emily Blunt.

Netflix is really making moves with these releases that are headlined by big stars. I'm not sure any of these projects would make a killing at the box office but they seem perfect for home-viewing and Netflix is monopolizing on maintaining the attention of those who have made streaming their top priority.

Will YOU be checking out OUR MAN FROM JERSEY?