Mark Wahlberg (the Departed, The Brazilian Job) has officially signed on to play Elliot Moore, a father who has to protect his family during an apocalyptic threat to humanity in M. Night Shyamalan’s first R-rated feature “THE HAPPENING”.

Shyamalan said, “Mark has a unique blend of charisma, humanity, authenticity and skillfulness as an actor.” Shyamalan continues, “All of which coalesced at this moment in his career, making him the perfect person to take on the role of Elliot Moore, the science teacher at the center of this event.”

20th Century Fox is set to release “THE HAPPENING” June 13, 2008.