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21 April 2009
Bale And Russell Board The Fighter
With Mark Wahlberg in boxing movie

Bale And Russell Board The Fighter

The Fighter's been in development for ages, first with Mark Wahlberg and Matt Damon and Darren Aronofsky directing, then with Brad Pitt replacing Damon, then Aronofsky dropped out and the picture stalled. But now it's back back back, with David O. Russell set to direct and Christian Bale set to step into the second male lead role.

The film is based on the true story of Irish-American boxer Mickey Ward (Wahlberg) and the role that his half-brother, Dick Eklund (Bale), himself a former boxer who lost his career to crime, played in Ward's success. Wahlberg's been in training for the role for years now, so is ready to go in the part of Ward, a boxer known not just for his ability but for the incredible toughness that saw him take any amount of punishment and stay standing.

But we know what you're thinking about today's news. David O. Russell and Christian Bale had two of the most public on-set meltdowns in recent Hollywood history, both immortalised online, and can these two work together without The Fighter becoming an all-too-apt description of star and director? In fact, we suspect they'll get on like a house on fire. Not in the people running & screaming & massive property damage sense though; in the sense that they've got so much in common they'll be best buds by the end of day one. And since Mark Wahlberg's been training as a boxer for two years, he shouldn't have to worry too much even if sparks do fly, because ain't nobody going to mess.

The details of the new deals are currently in negotiation, but production is expected to begin in July if there are no more delays, so fingers crossed we actually see what sounds like an interesting biopic.

Helen O'Hara

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Your Comments
tuioei
Sorry for Mark Wahlberg i dont like him. I couldnt understand why Bale plays supporting him. Maybe there is something attractive to choose this role. Bale is my all time favorite actor so i'll wait and see. ... Read More

JMLee About me

17:21, 21 April 2009 | Report This Post
Marky Mark generally seems to be as good as the cast as he works with
So despite the fact that he's sucked nuts in his last few movies I think he'll rock the shit in this. Plus his last few films were half assed, amateur hour pieces of crap that I doubt he had very much interest in, this on the other hand sounds pretty fucking excellent on every level. I'm sad to hear Aronofsky is off it though. DOR's cool too though so watever ... Read More

shanewire About me

12:09, 21 April 2009 | Report This Post
This could be gooood *rubs hands*
I'd pay good money to watch Bale smack Walhberg in the face for 2 hours... ... Read More

christofurr About me

12:05, 21 April 2009 | Report This Post
YUM!
How hot is that movie going to be?! Christian Bale and Mark Walhberg?! I'm booking the tickets when it comes out, no way I'm missing that at all! I'm so exicted, better come true otherwise they will have be to deal with! Excellent news, Empire! Keep it up! ... Read More

joanna likes films About me

11:54, 21 April 2009 | Report This Post
everytime I see a bit of cast news that has the word Bale in it I hope that its some news about the next Batman film...and then I get sad when its not :( ... Read More

waltham1979 About me

11:38, 21 April 2009 | Report This Post
How long am I going to have to wait for the Bale/Aronofsky masterpiece now? ... Read More

exandakane About me

10:50, 21 April 2009 | Report This Post
Maybe this could be Wahlberg's redemption after some shocking films lately, hopefully he won't be overshadowed by Bale too much. ... Read More

Anduril666 About me

10:15, 21 April 2009 | Report This Post

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