Christian Bale Hops Into The Ring With Whalberg for ‘Fighter’

Variety is reporting that Christian Bale will be joining Mark Wahlberg on “The Fighter.”

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.

The film has been floating around for a few years and while Mark Wahlberg has always been part of the picture, co-stars have ranged from Matt Damon to Brad Pitt. Director Darren Aronofsky was even involved for a while before the flick stalled.

Wahlberg will play Ward the fighter and Bale will play Eklund, the reformed criminal turned boxing coach. Thank god, I don’t think I can handle another lame Hollywood MMA movie!