While it's easy to still think of Mark Wahlberg as that guy from the Funky Bunch and the underwear commercials, the fact is he's one of the most bankable stars in the business for a very good reason. Beyond just his ability to melt perfectly into gritty action roles, especially of the street level crime variety, he has a blue collar charm that makes him the perfect everyman. He's as believable in a movie like Contraband as he is in I Heart Huckabees. But Wahlberg as an Avon salesman? Can even he pull something like that off?
Once sporting Hugh Jackman in the lead role, Wahlberg has now taken over The Avon Man, about a group of car salesman who are laid off with one reluctantly deciding to become an Avon salesman. Of course he hates it and finds selling make-up to women demeaning at first, but ultimately uses his natural sales gift to become a top dog, inviting his buds to get it on the action.
Wahlberg will take over as producer, as well, and he's got some work ahead of him. Kevin Lima(Enchanted) was once set as director, but he's now gone. Along with him went the script by Kevin Bisch, with a new draft by Michael McCullers(Baby Mama) on the way. So he'll first need to find someone to helm the project, and then fill out the rest of the cast. It shouldn't be much of a problem for Wahlberg, who has always been able to gather top talent for any project he undertakes. Add this to the massive pile of stuff on Wahlberg's schedule, which includes Michael Bay's Pain and Gain, Broken City with Russell Crowe, 2 Guns with Denzel Washington, and 3 Mississippi with Will Ferrell. He'll be seen next in Ted, with Seth McFarlane and Mila Kunis. [Deadline]
