Boston Marathon Movie Gets Release Date

BOSTON, MA - The Mark Wahlberg-helmed film about the 2013 Boston Marathon bombing now has an official release date.

'Patriots Day,' the first of two upcoming movies about the tragedy, will premiere in Boston, New York and Los Angeles on Dec. 21 and then receive a wide release Jan. 13, according to the Hollywood Reporter.

Wahlberg was originally slated to play Boston Police detective Danny Keeler, but his role has since been changed to a composite character based on multiple officers who were involved in the manhunt for the Tsarnaev brothers. Academy Award winner J.K. Simmons also signed on last week to portray Watertown Police Sergeant Jeffrey Pugliese, who was instrumental in the search for Tamerlan and Dzhokhar Tsarnaev.

Production of the movie generated controversy recently after producers announced they hoped to recreate the Watertown shootout in the community. Watertown Town Manager Michael Driscoll said in a statement last week that the idea was no longer being considered.

'Patriots Day' is not the only movie centered around the events of the 2013 tragedy. Jake Gyllenhaal will play Jeff Bauman, a survivor who lost both of his legs in the attack, in the upcoming film 'Stronger.'