Deadline reports that Wahlberg is in negotiations to star in "Ted," the live-action directorial debut of "Family Guy" creator Seth MacFarlane. The R-rated comedy would cast Wahlberg as a perfectly normal Boston native with one particular abnormality: He has a walking, talking teddy bear for a sidekick.

Apparently, the Wahlberg character's childhood wish for his teddy bear to come to life came true, and the bear — the titular Ted, voiced by MacFarlane himself — remains his best friend well into the protagonist's adult years. Conflict emerges when Ted's irresponsible and vulgar slacker lifestyle comes in the way of Wahlberg's attempt to embrace his adulthood and the woman of his dreams.

MacFarlane's directorial debut will be a live-action effort with the exception of the computer-animated Ted. In addition to directing and supplying the title character's voice, MacFarlane wrote the screenplay alongside his "Family Guy" colleagues Alec Sulkin and Wellesley Wild. The Universal Pictures film has a strong $65 million budget, with a healthy portion likely devoted to the film's computer animated effects.

Wahlberg will next be seen opposite Christian Bale in "The Fighter." He's also currently rumored for the starring role in "The Crow" reboot.

Do you think Wahlberg and MacFarlane will make for a solid team? Tell us what you think of the "Ted" news in the comments section and on Twitter!