Mark Wahlberg is set to star in and produce the American remake of the Norwegian action thriller Headhunters. This announcement comes as Wahlberg continues his active career following his roles in the recently released Prime Video film Play Dirty and the upcoming Family Plan 2. The remake will be produced under Apple Original Films, marking another collaboration between Wahlberg and the studio after Family Plan 2.
Screenplay Adaptation by Bill Dubuque
Bill Dubuque, known for writing The Accountant and Netflix’s Ozark, will handle the adaptation of the screenplay for the new Headhunters project. However, details regarding the filming schedule and release date have not yet been disclosed. The remake is currently in the early stages of development, leaving many questions about how closely it will follow the original storyline.
Background of the Original Film and Story
The original Headhunters, released in 2011, was directed by Morten Tyldum and featured actors such as Aksel Hennie, Synnøve Macody Lund, and Nikolaj Coster-Waldau, who is known for his role on Game of Thrones. The movie is based on the 2008 novel by Jo Nesbø and follows Roger Brown, a character leading a double life as an art thief to maintain a lavish lifestyle. When Brown plans to steal a priceless painting, events take a dramatic and intense turn.
Commercial and Critical Success of the Original Headhunters
The original film became Norway’s highest-grossing movie of all time, earning approximately $18.9 million against a production budget of $3.6 million. It received widespread acclaim, securing multiple nominations, including Amanda Awards and a BAFTA nomination for Best Foreign Language Film. The film currently holds a 93% rating on Rotten Tomatoes.
Wahlberg’s Long-Standing Interest in Headhunters
Mark Wahlberg has expressed interest in remaking Headhunters for over a decade. His enthusiasm resurfaced last year during a conversation with Sienne Leone, where he mentioned the project among other films he hoped to adapt. Wahlberg’s persistence has finally led to this official development, thirteen years after he first considered the role.
Future Prospects and Naming Considerations for the Remake
Though the remake is still in early development, it remains unclear whether the production will keep the original title, as Kevin Costner is attached to a different project with the same name, focusing on a surf thriller. Fans and industry watchers await further updates in the coming months, hoping to learn more about casting, production timelines, and how closely the remake will follow Jo Nesbø’s original story.
