Mark Wahlberg replaces Vince Vaughn

The Fighter star Mark Wahlberg is currently negotiating with Universal Pictures to star in the crime drama 2 Guns, according to the Hollywood Reporter.

Originally, director David O. Russell (The Fighter, Three Kings) was on board to direct and Vince Vaughn in talks to star, however due to scheduling issues Russell dropped out.

The movie is based on a graphic novel of the same name written by Steven Grant, with art by Mat Santolouco, which tells the pulp-fiction story about cops and robbers, including an undercover DEA agent and an undercover Naval Intelligence investigating each other.

Filming is scheduled to begin this winter. In the meantime, Mark Wahlberg stars opposite Kate Beckinsale in Contraband on March 16, 2012.

Wahlberg is currently filming the Seth MacFarlane (Family Guy) comedy Ted with Mila Kunis, which is expected for release July 13, 2012.