Mark Wahlberg and James Franco are set to join Steve Carell and Tina Fey in Date Night.
Wahlberg and Franco have signed on for supporting roles in the 20th Century Fox comedy being directed by Shawn Levy. Leighton Meester, Common, Taraji P. Henson and Kristen Wiig have also been cast in the film.
Levy said that after landing a top-end ensemble for his upcoming Night at the Museum sequel, he aimed high in casting Date Night with the goal of populating all the supporting roles “with formidable actors.”
“And people just kept saying yes,” added Levy. “I think people just really wanted to work with Tina and Steve.”
Written by Josh Klausner, the comedy revolves around a married couple who find themselves in harm’s way after their routine date night goes horribly awry.
Wahlberg will play an extremely buff and successful securities expert who flirts with Fey’s character. Franco will portray a not-too-bright conman and petty criminal. Meester is on board as the couple’s babysitter. Henson plays the one good cop who believes the couple is in danger, and Common will play the villain. Wiig, who worked with Fey on Saturday Night Live, rounds out the cast as Fey’s best friend.
Wahlberg and Franco are two actors who generally take more dramatic roles, but both have proved their comic chops. Wahlberg with I ‘Heart’ Huckabees and Franco more recently with Pineapple Express.
source: Variety
