Christian Bale Joins Mark Wahlberg in 'THE FIGHTER'
Some pretty big casting news broke tonight regarding the new Mark Wahlberg movie 'The Fighter'. This production has seen some hard times. At one point the movie had Wahlberg, Matt Damon starring and Darren Aronofsky was set to direct. Then Matt Damon Bailed and brad Pitt was going to take his place when the movie was put on hold due to funding issues. Pitt and Aronofsky both moved on leaving Wahlberg the only person attached to the project... until now. Christian Bale has joined Mark Wahlberg in the project, David O' Russell has been brought on to direct the movie, and Relativity Media has come in to save the day by fully financing the film while Paramount will distribute. Russell worked with Wahlberg on both 'Three Kings' and 'I Heart Hukabees'. And Relativity and Bale worked together on '3:10 To Yuma'. Variety reports:
Pic tells the story of Boston fighter "Irish" Mickey Ward and how he was helped to the world lightweight championship by half-brother Dicky Eklund. Eklund once decked Sugar Ray Leonard and went the distance against the boxing legend before forfeiting his career to drugs and crime. He redeemed himself by training Ward through his Rocky-like run to the title. Wahlberg will play Ward, a fighter who was losing bouts and was ready to hang up the gloves when his brother came back into his life. Bale will play Eklund, whose drugs and robbery spree drew him a 10- to 15-year sentence in state prison. There, he kicked drugs, became a model prisoner and emerged as a changed man who helped his brother reach the glory that eluded him.
This movie has the potential to be a great film. I wish Aronofsky was still on board but I think Russell is a good choice to take his place. He will be able to bring some interesting ideas to the table. As long as the script is solid and the acting is spot on then we have nothing to worry about. Remember, Wahlberg is in his element when playing those tough guys from Boston.. It was also recently reported that Bale and Wahlberg will team up for another high profile movie called 'Prisoners' which is also set in Boston.
Source: Variety