Mark Wahlberg's 'Six Billion Dollar Man' Getting Christmas 2017 Release

Remember that campy 1970s show, The Six Million Dollar Man? You know, the one where the man gets seriously injured but only to have his limbs replaced with bionic parts so he can fight crime?

Neither do I as I wasn't born yet.

I have heard of the show though and always figured Hollywood would eventually try and make a modern day feature film out of it. Low and behold, that's seemingly turning out to be right.

Almost a year ago, we heard Mark Wahlberg and director Peter Berg (who after next year's Deepwater Horizon and Mile 22 will have worked together three times, including 2013's Lone Survivor), were onboard to bring the famed TV show to the big screen, appropriately titled The Six Billion Dollar Man (got to account for inflation). Big time producer Harvey Weinstein was said to be producing the project.

We hadn't heard anything for a while, but yesterday it as officially announced that the film will be getting a December 22, 2017 release date with filming to begin next September.

Surprisingly though, Berg is mentioned nowhere in the press release as Damián Szifron (writer/director of last year's Oscar nominated foreign language film, Wild Tales) will helm the project, having already written the film's screenplay.

Wahlberg will also produce alongside Weinstein as well.

I actually think this may not turn out half bad. The premise is certainly interesting enough where it can be portrayed in a realistic manner, given our modern technology. Not to mention, Wahlberg is one of the most solid box office stars currently working so having him lead the way certainly shows confidence. A Christmas theatrical release doesn't hurt either.

You can read below below for the film's official press release:

TWC-Dimension announced today that the action film The Six Billion Dollar Man, starring Mark Wahlberg (Ted, Lone Survivor, Transformers: Age of Extinction), is set to be released on December 22, 2017. Oscar-nominated and acclaimed filmmaker Damián Szifron (Wild Tales) wrote the screenplay and has now been confirmed to direct. Principal photography will commence in September of 2016. Wahlberg, Stephen Levinson and Bob Weinstein will produce the film.

The Six Billion Dollar Man is based on the classic television series “The Six Million Dollar Man” and the novel “Cyborg” by Martin Caidin. The story follows military officer, Steve Austin, who becomes part of a top secret government program after a horrific accident leaves him near death. With the help of cutting edge technology, Steve is brought back to life with extraordinary abilities, making him the world’s first truly bionic man.

“I’m thrilled to assemble ‘The Six Billion Dollar Man’ for the big screen with the likes of Bob Weinstein and Damián Szifron,” said Wahlberg. “We look forward to creating a Steve Austin for the 21st century.”

“Writing the screenplay was such a fantastic ride and embarking on this journey with Mark, Bob and Stephen to take this story to a whole new level is simply spectacular,” said Szifron. “Growing up, these kind of films left an indelible mark on me and now it feels so good to be making one.”

“Damián’s unique vision and longtime passion for this story will usher in an new take on this series for a new generation,” said Bob Weinstein, co-chairman The Weinstein Company and Dimension Films. “We are excited to release the film during the holidays to bring audiences an explosive reimagining of this cultural icon.”

Overseeing production for TWC-Dimension are Matthew Signer, EVP of Production and Creative Affairs, and Keith Levine, SVP of Production and Development.

Source: TWC-Dimension