Wahlberg is Happening!

UPDATE – Wow, two-for-two today! Variety confirms our below March 14th report about Mark Wahlberg starring in M. Night Shyamalan’s THE HAPPENING today. Man, my arm hurts from all this back patting…

I was just enjoying the coma I fell into after having to write an article about a movie titled PART-TIME PIRATES when the JoBlo Tipline rang and woke me from my slumber. “Yello?” “Mike Sampson?,” whispered the voice on the other end of the line. “Yeah…” “I’ve got a hot tip for you. This is Mark Wahlberg’s brother.” “Donnie? Why are you calling here again? I told you, I’m flattered but I’m not ga–” “No, this is Leon Wahlberg, the lesser known brother who works at the Cold Stone Creamery in Boston. I have some exclusive news on my brother’s next movie. Nothing is set in stone yet but here’s the scoop: Mark is in talks to star in M. Night Shyamalan’s next film THE HAPPENING. It’s that eco-thriller about Mother Nature seeking revenge on Earth. Mark would be playing Elliot Moore, a teacher and struggling musician. It’s his struggle, along with that of his ex-wife and daughter, that we follow in the film. Now like I said, the deal is far from done but he is what we would call “in talks” for the role. Those talks can be very preliminary or, by the time we’re done on the phone, can be very advanced. Keep in mind that publicists like to announce an actor’s next movie as their current movie is getting ready to hit theaters. SHOOTER opens next Friday. Coincidence? Finally, this HAPPENING movie wouldn’t conflict with the planned boxing movie with Matt Damon, which would film late spring/early summer with Shyamalan not getting started until August. Gotta go my manager is looking at me funny.” *CLICK*