He’s one of Hollywood’s highest paid actors and his last film, “Bruce Almighty,” racked up $466 million in sales around the world, but it’s only going to cost $6 million to remake Jim Carrey “better, stronger and faster” than before.

Carrey is teaming up with “Old School” writer/ director Todd Phillips for a big-screen version of “The Six Million Dollar Man,” the classic 1970s television show about a scientifically enhanced hero who performed super-human feats as an unforgettable robotic sound emanated from his limbs.

Based on the Martin Caidin novel “Cyborg,” ABC’s “The Six Million Dollar Man” starred Lee Majors in the title role as Col. Steve Austin, a reluctant government agent with bionic enhancements that gave him super strength, super speed and, apparently, the ability to rock an old-school track suit without looking totally ridiculous.

The show was so successful that it spawned a spin-off, “The Bionic Woman.” Both series ended in 1978 and Majors went on to further television success with “The Fall Guy.” In 1987, “Bionic Woman” Lindsay Wagner and Majors returned for the first of two television movies. “Bionic Showdown,” released two years later, featured a young Sandra Bullock as a new Bionic Woman.

By the end of its five-year run, many fans and critics had begun to complain that “The Six Million Dollar Man” had become a parody of itself. And naturally, Carrey and Phillips intend to ramp up the silly bits even further and turn “The Six Million Dollar Man” into a full-blown action comedy.

It won’t be the first time Phillips has breathed comedic life into a 1970s TV hit, as he recently wrapped production on a big-screen “Starsky and Hutch” starring Ben Stiller, Owen Wilson and Snoop Dogg (see “Big Collars And Even Bigger Pimpin’ On The Set Of ‘Starsky and Hutch’ “ ). He also has an “Old School” sequel, which all involved are jokingly calling “Project X” for now (see “Reunion Planned For ‘Old School’ Stars Wilson, Vaughn And Ferrell” ), as well as a remake of the 1960 film “School for Scoundrels” in the works.

Carrey will next be seen in director Michel Gondry (“Human Nature”) and writer Charlie Kaufman’s “Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind” (see “Video Auteur Michel Gondry Goes From White Stripes To ‘Eternal Sunshine’ “ ).

Shooting on “Spotless” was completed in March. Carrey also has the kid flick “Lemony Snicket’s A Series of Unfortunate Events” with Jude Law and Meryl Streep, and director Dean Parisot’s (“Galaxy Guest”) remake of “Fun With Dick and Jane” on his plate.

The production start date for the film has not yet been announced.

With such a well-known brand, the film will appeal to those now-older fans of the show

Mark Wahlberg’s ‘Six Billion Dollar Man’ Signs ‘Wild Tales’ Writer
April 28, 2015 | 01:28PM PT
Dave McNary
Film Reporter @Variety_DMcNary

“Wild Tales” filmmaker Damian Szifron will write the screenplay for Mark Wahlberg’s “Six Billion Dollar Man” for TWC-Dimension.

Peter Berg will direct the movie. “Wild Tales,” which Szifron wrote and directed, was nominated for best foreign language film at this year’s Academy Awards.

“Six Billion Dollar Man” is based on the television series “The Six Million Dollar Man” and the novel “Cyborg” by Martin Caidin. The story follows military officer Steve Austin, who is brought back to life after a severe accident and becomes part of a top-secret government program that gives him extraordinary strength.

Producers are Wahlberg, Stephen Levinson and Bob Weinstein.

“When I met with Damian I was so happy to learn that growing up as a kid he was a fan of ‘The Six Million Dollar Man,'” Weinstein said in a statement. “He subsequently shared how he envisioned a modern retelling of the story with a new and unique vision. Mark Wahlberg, Stephen Levinson and I couldn’t be more excited that he has come on board to write the script.”

Szifron is repped by WME and attorney Carlos Goodman. Matthew Signer and Keith Levine are overseeing production for TWC-Dimension.

Mark Wahlberg's 'Six Billion Dollar Man' Gets December 2017 Release Date
by Pamela McClintock 11/2/2015 10:55am PST

The Six Billion Dollar Man, starring Mark Wahlberg, will hit theaters Dec. 22, 2017, TWC-Dimension announced Monday.

Additionally, Damian Szifron, who wrote the script for the film adaptation of the classic 1970s TV series, is replacing Peter Berg as director.

Szifron is set to begin shooting in September 2016. The story follows military officer, Steve Austin, who becomes part of a top secret government program after a horrific accident leaves him near death. With the help of cutting-edge technology, he is brought back to life with extraordinary abilities, making him the world’s first truly bionic man.

"I’m thrilled to assemble The Six Billion Dollar Man for the big screen with the likes of Bob Weinstein and Damian Szifron," said Wahlberg. "We look forward to creating a Steve Austin for the 21st century."

Added TWC and Dimenson co-chairman Bob Weinstein: "We are excited to release the film during the holidays to bring audiences an explosive reimagining of this cultural icon.”

"Writing the screenplay was such a fantastic ride and embarking on this journey with Mark, Bob and Stephen to take this story to a whole new level is simply spectacular," added Szifron. "Growing up, these kinds of films left an indelible mark on me and now it feels so good to be making one."

Executive vp production Matthew Singer and senior vp production and development Keith Levine will oversee production for TWC-Dimension.