Mark Wahlberg To Be Directed by Peter Jackson

Wahlberg, who starred in the films Boogie Nights, The Departed and Planet of the Apes, among others, will play the role of Jack Salmon in the new project.  Jackson called on the services of Wahlberg after Ryan Gosling quit the film due to creative differences with the direction of the film.

Wahlberg quickly agreed to join the film after reading the script over the weekend.  Filming of The Lovely Bones, which also stars Rachel Weisz, is set to begin today.

Adapted from the book by best-selling author, Alice Sebold, the film follows the story of Susie Salmon, who mysteriously disappears in 1973 at the age of 14.  After being killed violently, the young girl narrates the story, in which she watches over her grieving family and also the family of her killer, as he is brought to justice.