Mark Wahlberg purchases rights to the book ‘Boston Strong’

Mark Wahlberg and CBS Films purchased the rights to Boston Strong, a book about the 2013 Boston marathon, from 20th Century Fox.

Mark Wahlberg and CBS Films purchase Boston Strong from 20th Century Fox

HOLLYWOOD, CA - DECEMBER 06:  Actor/Producer Mark Wahlberg arrives at Paramount Pictures' "The Fighter" premiere at Grauman's Chinese Theatre on December 6, 2010 in Hollywood, California.  (Photo by Jason Merritt/Getty Images)
Actor/Producer Mark Wahlberg arrives at Paramount Pictures’ “The Fighter” premiere. (Photo by Jason Merritt/Getty Images)

Mark Wahlberg, along with CBS Films, purchased the rights for Boston Strong, a novel about the 2013 Boston Marathon bombings, from 20th Century Fox with plans to release a film about the events.

News surfaced earlier this year that Wahlberg was producing a Boston marathon bombings film, entitled ‘Patriots’ Day.’ The two stories, both now owned by CBS Films, will be combined into a single film.

Photo: University Press of New England
The book, ‘Boston Strong,’ authored by Dave Wedge and Casey Sherman. (Photo: University Press of New England)

Wahlberg is expected to play Boston police Detective Danny Keeler in the movie.

Two films, a play, and an HBO documentary are currently in the works, causing mixed reactions.

“The Richards would prefer that no movies be made about the bombings at the Boston Marathon,” said Nancy Sterling to The Associated Press. Sterling is a spokeswoman for the family of eight-year-old Martin Richard. He was the youngest of the three people killed in the attack.

Others see the film as portraying a moment in history.

“I know a lot of people were disturbed by that, but I don’t have a problem with it,” said Karen Brassard, whose husband and daughter also were hurt in the bombings. “It’s a part of history.”

RELATED: Mark Wahlberg to produce Boston bombing film.

A release date for the Wahlberg-starring film has not yet been announced. The HBO documentary, entitled ‘Finish Line,’ is expected to be released on April 1, 2016.

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