Cross The Six Million Dollar Man off the list of classic TV shows that had yet to get a big screen adaptation. After a several months of development, an updated version called The Six Billion Dollar Man starring Mark Wahlberg now officially has a release date and brand new director.
Damian Szifron, who made last year’s critically acclaimed Wild Tales, will direct the film, replacing Peter Berg who had long been attached. He’ll start shooting next year aimed at a December 22, 2017 release date.
Szifron also wrote the screenplay, which takes the Steve Austin story we know from the 1970s TV show and updates it. In case you don’t know that story, it’s about a soldier who is almost killed and is then brought back to life with some very expensive technology. Originally, $6 million of bionic technology was impressive but, 40 years later, inflation has made the investment just a bit bigger.
“I’m thrilled to assemble The Six Billion Dollar Man for the big screen with the likes of Bob Weinstein and Damian Szifron,” said Wahlberg in a news release. “We look forward to creating a Steve Austin for the 21st century.”
A Peter Berg/Mark Wahlberg Six Million Dollar Man remake sounded pretty insane but Szifron is almost more exciting. His Wild Tales is a weird, wonderful movie so bringing that sensitivity to this big-budget Hollywood action story should be fun.
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