This may be the sternest film that goes into production this year — but given the names involved, it will probably be one of the best. Variety is reporting that Christian Bale has joined Mark Wahlberg for “The Fighter,” and that David O. Russell may be along to direct the grim, tense ride.

“The Fighter” is the true life tale of Boston fighter “Irish” Mickey Ward (played by Wahlberg), who was coached to the world lightweight championship by his half-brother, Dicky Eklund (played by Bale). After suffering a number of defeats, Ward was ready to retire until pushed back into the ring by his brother. (Read full story …)

For all the violence and grief of The Lovely Bones, Peter Jackson believes the movie adaptation need not be a downer.

In fact, he says, the film version of Alice Sebold’s best-selling novel about teenager Susie Salmon, who watches from heaven as her family collapses after her murder, is downright uplifting.

“I found the book to be curiously optimistic,” Jackson says by e-mail from New Zealand, where he’s finishing the film. “I felt inspired by Susie’s struggle to come to terms with her own death. In the face of overwhelming grief, she finds hope.

“She holds on to love, and by doing so, she transcends the horror of her murder.”

Don’t expect Lord of the Rings-style special effects to create a nether world, Jackson says. The film, which stars Saoirse Ronan as Susie and Stanley Tucci as her killer, proved one of Jackson’s toughest, particularly scenes of the child’s afterlife.

“It’s God-less in the sense that when Susie dies, she finds herself caught in a place between Earth and heaven — she is in an ‘In-Between,’ as Alice Sebold calls it.” When she moves on, “we’re happy for audiences to imagine this new world in whatever way makes them comfortable.”
Source: USA Today

RUSSELL Crowe has driven a stake through speculation American actor Mark Wahlberg will play Koby Abberton in a movie about the Bra Boy leader and his brothers.

While Abberton was keen on the idea when it was first floated last year, Crowe – who will co-produce the film – has insisted that it must be true to Australia.

“Why would you do that?” Crowe told UK Sky News yesterday of the Wahlberg rumour.

“That’s like asking Gary Oldman to be in Romper Stomper – it takes away from one of the important things about it. (Read full story …)

Mark takes a stroll around Beverly Hills, California on April 11th. Click the link below to view.

GALLERY LINKS:
• Candids from 2009 – 04-11 – Out and around in Beverly Hills

He’s the guy who could sell Calvin Klein underwear to just about anyone.

But can he drive, chip and putt?

Absolutely, provided the wind isn’t messing things up.

Mark Wahlberg is among several celebrities playing in this weekend’s Outback Steakhouse Pro-Am at TPC Tampa Bay.

The annual charity event pairs celebrity and amateur partners with professionals during real tournament play. Pros play for a $1.7 million purse, with $255,000 going to the winner. Celebs play for bragging rights. (Read full story …)

Lake Bell has joined the cast of Mark Wahlberg’s HBO comedy How To Make It In America, says The Hollywood Reporter.

The actress, who guest-starred in the pilot, has been cast as a regular in the series, which focuses on the attempts of twentysomethings Ben (Bryan Greenberg) and Cam (Victor Rasuk) to hustle their way through New York in pursuit of the American dream.

Wahlberg, Stephen Levinson and Entourage’s Rob Weiss will produce the project, which has been scripted by Ian Edelman.

Bell is currently filming an untitled romantic comedy for Nancy Meyers. She has previously appeared alongside Eva Longoria in Over Her Dead Body and opposite Colin Farrell in Pride And Glory.
Source: Digital Spy

Mark Wahlberg is a Francophile. And, apparently, a Fey-ophile. Not to mention a Carell-ophile.

Wahlberg and James Franco are leading the pack as the latest bold-faced names flocking to the Steve Carell and Tina Fey-starring big-screen comedy Date Night.

According to Variety, Gossip Girl Leighton Meester, rapper Common, Oscar nominee Taraji P. Henson, SNL utility player Kristen Wiig and Jimmi Simpson (aka David Letterman’s erstwhile intern Lyle and It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia scene-stealer) round out the funnybone-tickling cast. (Read full story …)

Look what I picked up! Too excited to keep his presents in the bag, 3-year-old Michael Wahlberg showed off his new cars after visiting Tom’s Toy Store with dad Mark Wahlberg on Saturday.

Mark and fiancée Rhea Durham are also parents to daughter Ella Rae, 5 ½, and baby Brendan Joseph, 6 ½ months.

Next up for Mark, 37, is the big screen adaptation of The Lovely Bones, due out in December.
Source: Celebrity Baby Blog

GALLERY LINKS:
• Candids from 2009 – 04-04 – Leaving Tom’s Toy Store in Beverly Hills

If there was ever an actor to play dark and brooding it’s Christian Bale hands down. He’s just signed on to the PRISONERS project alongside Mark Wahlberg and (potentially) Bryan Singer.

This is a creepy one -

After his 6-year-old daughter and her friend are kidnapped, a small-town carpenter butts heads with a young, brash detective in charge of the investigation. The father is a Bible-reading, deer-hunting survivalist. The cop, meanwhile, can’t wait to get to the city. Feeling failed by the law, the father captures the man he believes responsible and begins to torture him in a desperate attempt to find out what he did with the girls, whom he’s convinced are still alive.

First, is Bale the father or the kidnapper? Which one is Wahlberg? It sounds creepy and could be really good. The spec script has yet to be financed but Bale is just one more clog in the machine for Endeavor who is trying to get this one to go.
Source: IESB