With production set to begin in March, things are gearing up for the Universal thriller “Contraband” that already has Mark Wahlberg and Kate Beckinsale set to star.
Variety reports that Ben Foster (“The Messenger,” “3:10 To Yuma“) and Giovanni Ribisi (“Avatar,” “The Wonder Years“) are in talks to join the film. The project is a remake of Iceland’s 2009 Oscar entry “Reykjavik-Rotterdam” and it follows a security guard and former smuggler (Wahlberg) who, facing financial troubles, is roped back into his old life. Foster would play Wahlberg’s brother-in-law while there are no details yet on the part Ribisi is circling.
“Contraband” has a $30 million budget and will be directed by Baltasar Kormakur who helmed the Icelandic original. Aaron Guzikowski, who penned the very hot Black List script “Prisoners,” wrote the screenplay. It will still be a while before you see this one as Universal has it scheduled for a March 16, 2012 release.