Mark Wahlberg On Justin Bieber's Basketball Film Project: "I Really Think He Can Act"

27 June 2012, 10:26 | Updated: 27 June 2012, 10:41

The 'Departed' star says he will push the 'Boyfriend' signer when they shoot their sports film together.

Mark Wahlberg says Justin Bieber can "really act" and is looking forward to starting work on their oft-rumoured basketball buddy drama next year.

The 'Boyfriend' singer is working with 'The Departed' star Mark on developing a sports drama starring both of them as a basketball mentor and young protege, and the 41 year-old actor says he will push Justin hard to get a great performance out of him.

"It's set in [the world of] street hustling basketball," Mark revealed to MTV News. "Obviously [Justin] is a very good athlete.

"People have seen him on MTV, he can play. But I also really think he can act," the 'Ted' star explained. "There's not going to be any shortage of pushing him in getting that kind of strong performance out of him, if we get to make the movie."

He added: "We're just going to have to make him realise that's playing a character so he can't have the same hair do!"

View a picture of Justin Bieber performing live on The Today Show earlier this month below:

Earlier this year Justin revealed to Capital that the film's script is currently in the process of being rewritten and that he can't wait to start working on the project towards the end of this year, with Mark Wahlberg expecting production on the film to kick off in spring 2013.

Justin Bieber launched his brand new album 'Believe' last week which has topped charts around the world.