20th Century Fox will release M. Night Shyamalan’s paranoia thriller, The Happening, worldwide on Friday the 13th of June, 2008.
Mark Wahlberg is set to star in the film about a family on the run from an apocalyptic threat to humanity. Shyamalan wrote the original screenplay, and produces with Sam Mercer and Barry Mendel. Production will begin in Philadelphia in August.
“Friday the 13th has very distinctive, global connotations, which make it the ideal launching pad for this frightening thriller,” said Bruce Snyder, President of Domestic Distribution, 20th Century Fox.
Wahlberg, an Oscar-nominee for his work in The Departed, is currently on-screen in the action-adventure Shooter. His wide-ranging credits include blockbusters such as The Italian Job and The Perfect Storm, as well as the critically acclaimed films Boogie Nights, I Heart Huckabees and Three Kings, among many others.
“Mark has a unique blend of charisma, humanity, authenticity and skillfulness as an actor;” said Shyamalan. “All of which coalesced at this moment in his career, making him the perfect person to take on the role of Elliot Moore, the science teacher at the center of this event.”
The Happening is being co-financed by 20th Century Fox and India’s UTV. Fox is distributing the film worldwide, except in India, where UTV will handle its release.
