Bale Climbs Into The Ring With Mark Wahlberg For ‘The Fighter’

Posted on April 21, 2009 • Filed under: "The Fighter" — 3 Comments

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.

Eklund had once racked up a number of welterweight boxing wins, and fought Sugar Ray Leonard before succumbing to a life of drugs and violence. After serving over 10 years in prison, he returned to the ring as Ward’s coach, and pushed him to victory. Sadly, it was a victory that was short-lived as Eklund remains troubled by drugs and violence to this day.

“The Fighter” has been around Hollywood’s boxing ring for a few years, attracting a lot of big names along the way. It was once set to be helmed by Darren Aronofsky, and was originally to star Matt Damon and Wahlberg. Damon left and was replaced by Brad Pitt, but the project stalled and Aronofsky moved on. Wahlberg has remained attached to the film, and kept up the punishing training required to play Ward.

Despite the interest of Bale and Russell, the project is still uncertain and Relativity Media has stressed that negotiations are still in process. If everyone signs and gets in fighting shape, “The Fighter” will jump into the filming ring this July.
Source: MTv.com

3 Comments »

Hello! I am huge fan of Mark and a boxing enthusiast also. I am a Filipino and Manny Pacquiao is our hero. I know that Mark is a fan of our great boxer “Pacman”. I ‘ve heard about this upcoming movie “The Fighter” and it thrilled because way back I made a tshirt design I called “Freedom Fighter” and is now out on http://www.designsbyhumans.com. I made this design in dedication to our national hero Manny “Pacman” Pacquiao and to all the fighters in the world. I guess it would be exciting if I can give Mark a shirt bearing my design. Please tell me it will be ok to send him a shirt. Please do check it here. http://www.designbyhumans.com/shop/affiliate/zerobriant

Thanks a lot!!!
and God Speed!
zerobriant

Comment by zb — June 2, 2009 @ 4:48 am
here are some of the pics of Mark during the fight of Manny Last May 2009 http://i31.photobucket.com/albums/c371/elcritico/markymark.jpg
http://i31.photobucket.com/albums/c371/elcritico/mwahlberg.jpg
http://img149.imageshack.us/img149/958/1stround.gif

Comment by zb — June 2, 2009 @ 4:52 am
another sighting of Mark, wearing the Manny Pacquiao Shirt! wow!!
http://cdn.buzznet.com/media/jj1/2008/12/wahlberg-santa/mark-wahlberg-santa-claus-11.jpg

Comment by zb — June 2, 2009 @ 4:57 am