Mark Wahlberg, Justin Bieber Movie: Filmmaker Comments on Pop Star's Acting Abilities

Posted on Dec 28th 2011 2:30PM by Contessa Gayles

Justin Bieber, Mark Wahlberg Todd Williamson, WireImage

Justin Bieber and Mark Wahlberg first announced their plans to work together on a film project back in April. Now movie vet Wahlberg is shedding some more light on the flick and what he thinks of Bieber's movie star potential.

The 40-year-old actor and producer announced that he was developing a movie that would center on basketball and star 17-year-old pop sensation Bieber. But what would make Marky Mark take a chance on a teen with hardly any previous acting experience? "Intuition. I'm pretty intuitive," Wahlberg told MTV News of his choice to recruit the 'Baby' singer for the drama.

Wahlberg also cited JB's work ethic as a contributing factor in his casting decision. "I see the guy and spent time with him and you see what he does and how he does it and then you actually have a conversation with him and it's there." Work ethic is one thing, but actual talent is another. To that challenge, Wahlberg insisted that if Bieber doesn't wow him with his acting abilities at first, he will coax his hidden movie star talents out of him! "It's there -- and if not, I will extract it," he insisted.

Apparently, Bieber can't wait to show Wahlberg what he's got. "We pitched [Paramount] the idea and, you know, we're talking about doing it. [Bieber's] been sending me video, he sent me a video of himself, and yeah, I think he's really talented," Wahlberg revealed.

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