Monkey business for Marky Mark

Mark Wahlberg has been confirmed as the lead in Tim Burton's The Visitor, a 're-imagining' of the 1968 classic Planet Of The Apes. Wahlberg has signed on to do both the film and its sequel, according to Variety. The project has been in development for many years, with James Cameron originally attached to direct, but will finally begin shooting in the autumn, for a summer 2001 release. Other stars rumoured to be linked with the film are Danny Devito and Gary Oldman. And the special ape make-up will be provided by Rick Baker, who previously created the giant gorilla in Mighty Joe Young. Wahlberg will next be seen in The Perfect Storm alongside George Clooney.