Thursday, April 28, 2011

Justin Bieber to Star in Mark Wahlberg's Basketball Drama

 Justin Bieber's first dramatic movie could be on the way. Reports have just emerged that the singer is in negotiations to star in an untitled basketball movie that will center on street basketball, the perfect platform that will enable Bieber to showcase both his acting talent and basketball skill.

If the deal goes through, Bieber could be starring alongside Mark Wahlberg who is also set to produce the film with Stephen Levinson and Bieber's manager Scooter Braun. The team actually is formed around TV series "How to Make It in America" in which creator Ian Edelman works with executive producers Wahlberg and Levinson. Edelman is to provide the script to the new project.

The idea came after Wahlberg and Levinson saw Bieber playing at NBA Celebrity All-Star Game back in February where the singer was named MVP. The movie is said to be a cross between "The Color of Money" and "The Karate Kid".

"We're putting it together," Wahlberg told NY Magazine. "We're doing it at Paramount. We pitched them the idea and, you know, we're talking about doing it. He loves the idea. He's been sending me video, he sent me a video of himself, and, yeah, I think he's really talented."

The project comes on heel of "Justin Bieber: Never Say Never" success. The autobiography film brought $97 million gross worldwide for Paramount which threw $13 million for budget.

Asked about more details about the project, Wahlberg said it is more drama than comedy. "They may announce it fairly soon... kind of like a reluctant mentor in an inner-city environment. You know, I don't want to say," he said.

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