J.K. Simmons, Mark Wahlberg to star in 'Patriots Day' film about the Boston Marathon bombing

LOS ANGELES, Feb. 27 (UPI) -- Oscar-winning Whiplash actor J.K. Simmons is to star with Mark Wahlberg in Patriots Day, which will begin shooting in Boston next month, CBS Films and Lionsgate announced.

The film is about the 2013 Boston Marathon terror attack that killed three people and injured more than 250. Patriots Day reunites Wahlberg with his Lone Survivor director Peter Berg and is being produced by Wahlberg, Scott Stuber, Hutch Parker, Dylan Clark, Stephen Levinson and Michael Radutzky.

A press release said Simmons will play Sergeant Jeffrey Pugliese of the Watertown Police Department, who distinguished himself in combat with Islamic extremists Tamerlan and Dzhokhar Tsarnaev. Wahlberg will play a composite of several Boston Police Department officers central to the investigation and manhunt.

"Beyond his considerable talents, J.K. Simmons is a person who respects the solemn trust that these real-life heroes are putting in our hands," Berg said in a statement. "This is an actor who will represent the role in the best way possible."