Bieber with Wahlberg in October 2010. (Todd Williamson/WireImage)
Mark Wahlberg seems to be reliving his childhood -- first he talked to teddy bears, now he's championing Justin Bieber.
The "Ted" star, who is currently working on a big-screen vehicle for the Canadian singer, says Biebs will be coming to a cinema near you next year, "if I have anything to do with it."
"He's focused and he wants to have success in the movie world and acting as well," Wahlberg told E! Online in a new interview, adding, "I think we have good chemistry and, like I said, he's right for this particular part and it's an idea we've had for a while."
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Bieber's managers have reportedly been in contact with the 41-year-old film producer, who already has a first draft of the basketball-themed script in the bag.
"I think of Paul Newman and Tom Cruise in 'The Color of Money' but in the world of inner city basketball," Wahlberg said, referring to the 1986 Scorsese flick about pool hustlers.
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Bieber as the next Tom Cruise? It may not be that big of a stretch. Though he is known more for his vocal chops than his acting abilities, the Stratford native is no stranger to the screen. Bieber caused a stir when he played a troubled youth on "CSI" last year, and then there was that role as an alien opposite Lady Gaga in "Men in Black 3." But this would be the "Never Say Never" star's first major acting job.
Maybe he can get a few tips from his girlfriend, Selena Gomez. As long as she's been a singer, Biebs' lady love has also been acting in the likes of "Wizards of Waverly Place." She'll next appear opposite Hollywood big wig James Franco in the dramedy "Spring Breakers."