Wahlberg Up To Make Partner

Mark Wahlberg is is in early talks to join the film adaptation of John Grisham's best-selling book The Partner says Variety.

The story follows Patrick Lanigan, a young partner in a white shoe Biloxi law firm with a wife and newborn daughter. Trapped in a burning car one night, he died, leaving behind only ashes. But Lanigan is disillusioned enough by his life to fake his death and steal $90 million from his firm. He just has to hope the wrong people don’t catch up with him as he goes on the run.

John Lee Hancock ("The Blind Side," "The Rookie") was to both write and direct the film but has since moved on to direct "Saving Mr. Banks" with other writers and directors now being considered.

Arnon Milchan will co-produce the pic--withWahlberg and Stephen Levinson. Making this Milclan's fourth Grisham based film after "A Time To Kill," "The Client" and "Runaway Jury".