U.S. actor Mark Wahlberg has signed on to replace Ryan Gosling in Peter Jackson's upcoming screen adaptation of "The Lovely Bones," Variety.com said.

Wahlberg, who starred in "Invincible" and "The Departed," took the role of Jack Salmon just one day before the movie version of Alice Sebold's novel was to begin shooting.

Jack is the grieving father of a slain child, who watches her family and killer from Heaven.

Gosling, known for his performances in "The Notebook" and "Half Nelson," dropped out of the project after gaining 20 pounds and growing a beard for the role, the trade paper said.

Sources told Variety he left due to creative differences.

Wahlberg read the script and committed to the project, which co-stars Rachel Weisz, on Sunday.

The film was scheduled to begin shooting Monday in Pennsylvania, where Wahlberg also worked on the M. Night Shyamalan-directed "The Happening." // Copyright 2007 by United Press International


Publication date: 23 October 2007   

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