Scorsese, Wahlberg roll dice on HBO series

Director Martin Scorsese smiles backstage after accepting the award for outstanding directorial achievement for the feature film 'The Departed' at the 59th annual Directors Guild of America Awards in Los Angeles February 3, 2007 file photo. Scorsese has teamed with his ''Departed'' co-star Mark Wahlberg for an HBO drama series about the development of Atlantic City.

LOS ANGELES (Hollywood Reporter) - Director Martin Scorsese has teamed with his "Departed" co-star Mark Wahlberg for an HBO drama series about the development of Atlantic City.

The project will be developed in conjunction with the book, "Boardwalk Empire: The Birth, High Times, and Corruption of Atlantic City" by Nelson Johnson, which has been optioned by the cable network.

According to the book's official description, "Boardwalk" chronicles Atlantic City "from its birth as a quiet seaside health resort, through the notorious backroom politics and power struggles, to the city's rebirth as an entertainment and gambling mecca where anything goes."

Atlantic City is a familiar setting for Scorsese, whose 1986 feature "The Color of Money" took place there.

Scorsese and Wahlberg will serve as executive producers. Scorsese won an Oscar last month for directing "The Departed," which was named best picture. Wahlberg received an Oscar nomination for his supporting role in the mob saga.

Scorsese is also working with Rolling Stones frontman Mick Jagger on a movie spanning three decades in the music business. Scorsese will direct "The Long Play," and produce the film with the British rocker. Additionally, Scorsese directed a Stones documentary set for release later this year.

Reuters/Hollywood Reporter