Bale and Wahlberg up for 'The Fighter'

[Dom Duncombe]

From MTV

“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.

I was disappointed to discover that Aranofsky was no longer attached to this project; I think he has proven with 'The Wrestler' that he can tell this kind of story very well. Whether this project will ever go into production is still very much uncertain but the newly acquired interest of Bale will surely increase its chances. I think that the story of Ward and Eklund is definitely one worth seeing and I hope it makes its way to the big screen somehow.

Source: MTV

[Sheridan Passell]

I'm still very hung up on the Christian Bale rant, I don't know, something about it has literally spoilt my enjoyment of him as an actor. Really odd. Is anyone else 'not getting over it'?

I don't know if Hollywood have run out of ideas, but they certainly seem to have run out of titles. This weekend we have 'Obsessed' and 'Fighting'. And now 'The Fighter' has been announced.

[Dom Duncombe]

I have 'not gotten over it' in the sense that I am compelled to do an impression of Bale losing his temper whenever I see a trailer for a movie that he is in, but otherwise I'm ok with it.

We all know Russell Crowe is a bit of a dick but I still enjoyed State of Play.

[T.ROSS]

Christian Bale is a really good actor, when actors get alot of hype someimes people wont like them for that reason, they like to disagree. Some people will try to point out evry flaw and blow in out of proportion. Bale deserves all the hype he has recieved!