Exclusive: Universal Pictures has acquired Matthew J. O’Neill’s spec script “Bait and Switch,” which is being developed as a possible starring vehicle for Mark Wahlberg.
Joining Wahlberg as producers are Scott Stuber (through his Stuber Pictures), John Jacobs (Smart Entertainment) and Stephen Levinson (Leverage Management). Zac Unterman will exec produce.
Plot details on the action-comedy are being kept under wraps.
Project becomes the second on which Wahlberg and Stuber will have worked together. The two will soon start production on the Seth MacFarlane laffer “Ted” for U and MRC. Wahlberg stars, and Stuber is producing.
Besides “Ted,” Stuber Pictures is also producing Universal’s “Battleship,” “47 Ronin,” “Safe House” and “Your Highness.”
This is the first spec sale for O’Neill, who is repped by Innovative and Smart Entertainment.
Wahlberg and Levinson are both repped by WME.
