[Jayomatic]

Here is a story that is in yahoo today.

NEW YORK (Variety) - Actor Mark Wahlberg is set to star in "The Italian Job," a high-octane heist drama that will begin shooting Aug. 3 at Paramount Pictures.

F. Gary Gray is directing the film, a remake of the 1969 caper that starred Michael Caine, Benny Hill and Noel Coward.

That film, though considered something of a stylish classic because of its clever use of the tiny, high-speed Mini Cooper cars for a memorable chase sequence, was much more of a comedy than the new version will be.

While the original was a gold heist set entirely in Europe, the new version -- scripted by Donna and Wayne Powers -- will begin in Italy, but with the robbery taking place in Los Angeles.

Automaker BMW bought the Mini Cooper and is releasing the first new models of the automobiles in 2003. That's good timing, because the cars will figure prominently in the revamped plot.

Wahlberg will play Charlie Croker, a career criminal who heads the crew that masterminds a massive gold bullion take. It is made possible when they create the largest traffic jam in L.A. history.

While that disables the populace, the criminals are empowered by their use of the Mini Coopers, which are incredibly fast but small enough to travel on sidewalks and the subway system while the city and the cops are immobilized.

That plays to the strength of director Gray, who completed the Vin Diesel picture "Diablo" for New Line, and previously directed the logistically complicated action films "The Negotiator" and "Set It Off."

For Wahlberg, the film marks the second high-profile remake he's toplined in Europe, as he starred with Thandie Newton in the Jonathan Demme-directed "Charade" remake, which Universal is calling "The Truth About Charlie."