This is the fifth collaboration between Wahlberg and director Peter Berg after "Lone Survivor", "Boston Strike", "Deepwater 40", and "Mile 22". The collaboration is based on the novel of the same name written by Robert B. Peck. After Peck's death, Ace Atkins took over the creation. It is also one of the eight suspense novels centered on the male protagonist Spenser. Netflix has reached an agreement with Peck's estate to create a series of movies based on the character of Spenser. This film will be different from the novel. The novel tells the story of Spenser from a wisecracking boxer to a private detective in Boston. The movie starts when Spenser is released from prison and is deprived of his private detective license. When he uncovers the truth of a sensational murder and the conspiracy behind it, he is pulled back into the dark criminal world of Boston. Neil Moritz ("Fast and Furious" series "Prison Break") produced the film and Sean O'Keefe wrote the script.