Apr 21 2009Two Notable On-Set Fighters Joining 'The Fighter'

Can we just figure out who is fighting who and be done with it already? The Fighter, a boxing script once attached to Darren Aronofsky with plans for Matt Damon, and then Brad Pitt, to star alongside Mark Wahlberg, is changing hands once again. Now Relativity Media is in negotiations with Christian Bale and director David O. Russell, both of whom have become famous for on-set freak outs (here and here, if you missed those), to take on the project:

Christian Bale and director David O. Russell are poised to get into the ring with Mark Wahlberg on "The Fighter."

The picture is expected to begin production in July, though Relativity stressed that the principals’ deals are still being negotiated.

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.

So basically they've abandoned the film and decided to instead make a really, really pricey viral video of some adults yelling at each other. Someone should let the boys down at Relativity know that filming a cat with an empty soda box would get the same kind of attention for a lot cheaper.

Bale in ring with Wahlberg for 'Fighter' [Variety]