Mark Wahlberg is in talks to star in and produce New Regency's adaptation of John Grisham's The Partner, reports Variety. Wahlberg would produce with Stephen Levinson.

Grisham's 1997 novel centers on a disillusioned lawyer who steals $90 million from his law firm, stages his own death and successfully disappears for several years. What at first seems to be a brilliant white-collar crime is further complicated by a murder charge.

John Lee Hancock was attached to write and direct at one point, but he is no longer involved, says the trade.

Regency's Arnon Milchan previously brought Grisham's "A Time to Kill," "The Client" and "Runaway Jury" to the big screen.

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