Bale in ring with Wahlberg for 'Fighter'

[Hunter Rider]

http://www.comingsoon.net/news/movienews.php?id=18921

More on Wahlberg and Damon's Fighter
Source: Variety
February 14, 2007


This weekend, Matt Damon revealed that he and his The Departed co-star Mark Wahlberg are planning a film about two real-life fighters from Massachusetts.

Now, Variety has more details on the project. The trade says the Paramount project, titled The Fighter, is a drama about boxer "Irish" Micky Ward's unlikely road to the world lightweight title. His Rocky-like rise was shepherded by half-brother Dicky, a boxer-turned-trainer who rebounded in life after nearly being KO'd by drugs and crime.

"House" executive producer Paul Attanasio is working on a rewrite of a draft by Lewis Collick that will be completed within two weeks. If they like the script, Wahlberg and Damon will commit, and each will make The Fighter his next film.

Shooting will begin in early summer in Massachusetts.

Really like the sound of this with these 2 attached

 

[Dark Donnie]

Sounds interesting, Mickey Ward is one tough SOB. The only guy I ever saw to consistenly knock people out with Body blows. HIs fights with Gotti are some of the best ever.


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hYlQjCYx9fQ

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tSBmL7tNVsU

 

[Hunter Rider]

http://uk.movies.ign.com/articles/766/766656p1.html
Wahlberg Talks The Fighter
Will Scorsese direct it?
by Stax

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showUSloc=(checkLocale('uk')||checkLocale('au'));document.writeln(showUSloc ? 'US, ' : '');US, February 22, 2007 - IGN spoke one-on-one with Oscar nominee Mark Wahlberg this week for his upcoming action-thriller Shooter. During our exclusive interview with him, we asked Wahlberg about the recent report that claimed he wanted his Departed director Martin Scorsese to helm The Fighter, another Massachusetts-based drama that may reteam Wahlberg with fellow Bostonian and Departed co-star Matt Damon.

Wahlberg confirmed that Scorsese had indeed read the screenplay for The Fighter but, having already done one film set in Boston as well as the boxing classic Raging Bull, he was not interested in directing the pugilist drama.

The Oscar nominee added that both he and Damon are waiting for the script to get to a place where they're both willing to sign on but that it could hopefully be his next film.

Wahlberg added that there are "a couple of guys" interested in directing The Fighter right now but declined to name names.

The Fighter would see Wahlberg play boxer "Irish" Mickey Ward opposite Damon as his half-brother and trainer Dickey Eklund. The fact-based pic chronicles Mickey's rise to the light heavyweight world championship and his relationship with his drug-addicted brother Dickey.

Look for our exclusive video interview with Shooter star Mark Wahlberg next week!

 

[Hunter Rider]

http://www.comingsoon.net/news/movienews.php?id=19573

Darren Aronofsky to Direct The Fighter
Source: Variety
March 27, 2007


Darren Aronofsky is in talks to direct Matt Damon and Mark Wahlberg in boxing drama The Fighter for Paramount Pictures, reports Variety.

The project is based on the rise of Boston boxer "Irish" Micky Ward, who nabbed the world lightweight title with the help of his once down-and-out half-brother Dicky, who became a trainer.

Wahlberg and Damon are ready to commit to making "Fighter" their next movie if they like a rewrite that scribe Paul Attanasio is doing. Filming could begin in early summer in Massachusetts.

Attanasio, who will focus on the themes of brotherhood and redemption, is rewriting a draft by Lewis Collick, Eric Johnson and Paul Tamasy.

 

[Hunter Rider]

http://www.www.cinematical.com/2007...nofsky-is-helming-the-fighter-and-its-one-of/

Wahlberg Says Aronofsky is Helming 'The Fighter' & It's 'One of Them Gems'

Posted Jul 9th 2007 1:32PM by Monika Bartyzel
Filed under: Drama, Deals, RumorMonger

Back in March, Darren Aronofsky was in talks to direct The Fighter -- a fast-tracked boxer biopic about "Irish" Micky Ward, starring Mark Wahlberg as the boxer, and Matt Damon as his trainer/brother. Although no official word has been released about the director signing on, MTV got the scoop from Marky Mark that Aronofsky is, indeed, directing it. The actor said: "I talked to him on the phone two days ago. We're going to sit down with Matt and just figure out when we can start it." That might take a little bit of scheduling magic -- each of them has some projects to work around. Aronofsky is attached to a ballet thriller called Black Swan, Wahlberg's got The Happening and The Brazilian Job on his plate and Damon will be starring in the war drama Imperial Life in the Emerald City.

Back in February, when Ryan Stewart first blogged about the project, he mentioned the sappiness in the current rewrite, which is highlighting "themes of brotherhood and redemption." However, Wahlberg is already making big claims for the film: "If it ain't gonna be like Raging Bull, then it ain't worth doing." How's that for pre-production confidence?! Statements like that always make me queasy, because as soon as you compare something to a really beloved film, expectations skyrocket. Why invoke that pressure? Wahlberg went on to say: "These guys, they have the story. Their lives are incredible. The things that they went through, and the things that they overcame and endured. It's one of those amazing stories that I hope I get an opportunity to tell in my career. It's going to be one of them gems." If only confidence was enough to make a good film. At least the talent is there to potentially back it up, and Wahlberg is there to make sure it's done right: "The whole thing is to make it look real. I want to do these guys justive. We don't want to do any over-the-top, unrealistic fight scenes." Well, if anyone can make it look harsh and real, yet appealing to the eye, it's Aronofsky. Requiem for a Dream was agonizingly beautiful, so I can only imagine what he'd do with boxing.

 

[Dark Donnie]

At least we get some confimation....btw Aronofsky is doing a Ballet Thriller?

 

[tzarinna]

Damn, dare I say Wahlberg could get nominated......I feel it.

 

[Hush]

Im pumped for this, I hadnt heard anything about it til now.

 

[Hunter Rider]

http://uk.movies.ign.com/articles/821/821822p1.html

From Fight Club to The Fighter
Pitt subs for Damon in Aronofsky's next.
by Stax

US, September 20, 2007 - Brad Pitt is reportedly in negotiations to star opposite Mark Wahlberg in Paramount's boxing biopic The Fighter. Darren Aronofsky (The Fountain, Requiem for a Dream) will direct from a script by Scott Silver.

Variety reports that Pitt will replace Matt Damon, who was too busy with other films to make The Fighter in the time-frame that the studio wants.

Wahlberg will star as Massachusetts boxer and world lightweight champion "Irish" Mickey Ward. The trade says Pitt would play "Dicky Eklund, Mickey's half-brother and a talented fighter who once went the distance with Sugar Ray Leonard in a title fight but then turned to crime and landed in prison. Then he turned his life around and helped his underperforming brother find the spark for a remarkable run that led to the world title."

Pitt will film State of Play for Universal first.

 

[tzarinna]

That sucks, I prefer Damon to Pitt.

 

[Tempest19]

That's interesting- they originally wanted to work together on 'The Fountain', but then- I believe- scheduling conflicts led to Pitt dropping out.

 

[L0ngsh0t]

I'm a Damon fan

but Brad Pitt is infanitly cooler

This movie is gunnna own

 

[Hunter Rider]

http://www.latinoreview.com/news.php?id=2963

Exclusive: The Fighter Story Details
Date: October 1, 2007

By: Kellvin Chavez
Source: Anonymous

"The Fighter," is a drama about boxer "Irish" Micky Ward's unlikely road to the world light welterweight title. His Rocky-like rise was shepherded by half-brother Dickie, a boxer-turned-trainer who rebounded in life after nearly being KO'd by drugs and crime.

Film is being directed by Darren Aronofsky whom at one time was suppose to work with Brad Pitt on The Fountain. So this makes it kind of interesting.

Brad Pitt is poised to star alongside Mark Wahlberg in the film. Wahlberg is set to play Ward and Pitt is set to play Dickie Eklund, Mickey's half-brother and a talented fighter who once knocked Sugar Ray Leonard to the canvas and went the distance in a title fight against that boxing legend.

Over the weekend an anonymous source close to the film shared with us the story details of the film with me and I was allowed to share it with you all. But be warned that there be spoilers ahead!

Here’s what I’ve been told about The Fighter movie:

• Lowell, Massachusetts, a once-prosperous mill town, a hundred years past its prime. 1994. MICKEY (Mark Whalberg) sits with his mother, ALICE, discussing his future when Officers O’KEEFE and TOMMY show up, looking for DICKIE (Brad Pitt), Mickey’s brother, wanted for a recent armed robbery. Mickey says he doesn’t know the last time he saw his brother. Mickey leaves, searching for his brother before the police find him; he goes to BOO BOO’S place, in the wrong part of town. Boo Boo says Dickie’s a bad mess now and a disgrace. Even though it’s true, Mickey defends him as best he can. Mickey finally finds Dickie in a nearby crack house – he’s a withered, hollowed-out mess. He leads him down to the police, who have the place surrounded. At the last second, Dickie sprints away and jumps out a window.
• 1978. Dickie’s the prince of Lowell, a real boxing champ. In his corner of the ring stand SKEETS, an old gym rat, O’KEEFE (the cop from before), his trainer, DEBBIE, his gorgeous, young wife, and Alice, his tough-as-nails mother and manager. Dickie wins the match with a KO and his mother announces to the world that his next fight will be against SUGAR RAY LEONARD and shown on HBO. The whole arena cheers. Everyone is rooting for Dickie – they all think he’s got a chance. Before the fight, Mickey tries to get his brother into shape; Dickie shrugs it off, but he actually looks scared.
• Hiding behind the town’s unwavering support and his own cockiness, Dickie dips into coke with Boo Boo. Mickey grows annoyed when he sees this, but Dickie assures his brother that it’s just a hit to blow off some steam. Meanwhile, Mickey gets close to a girl he’s known (and had the hots for) since grade school, CHARLENE. To prove he’s a serious guy to CHARLENE, Dickie helps Mickey get a job paving, driving a steam-roller.
• The Sugar Ray fight comes. And goes. Dickie gives it all he has, but it’s not what Lowell – or Dickie – expected.
• 1990. Dickie’s gotten paunchy, arms flabby, and his shoulders slump, a mess since the Sugar Ray fights. Mickey’s been fighting now and training with O’Keefe. Mickey admits he doesn’t know much of what his brother does anymore. At a crack house, Dickie both shrugs off the past and desperately tries to hold on to it.
• Mickey’s on his way up – big money, a title, all on the horizon. That is, if he keeps winning. Concerned for Dickie, Mickey decides to get him a fight to keep him out of trouble; the only problem is that no one wants Dickie, what with the way he “fights” nowadays. Mickey agrees to fight OSCAR PENA, a boxer two weight classes above his own, in order to get Dickie a match.
• Neither match goes well. Mickey is beaten into a pulp and put in the hospital, broken and bloodied; and after almost losing; Dickie catches his opponent off guard and beats him into a coma. After a lengthy recovery, Mickey hands Dickie a wad of cash and tells him he never wants to see him again.
• 1994. Mickey has professional guys interested in training him. Dickie is now totally alone: a loser and a worthless, toothless junkie. An HBO documentary crew on how crack ruins lives gets him on video for part of the documentary – we see a broken, desperate man.
• We pick up again from the scene at the beginning. After escaping from the window, Dickie is caught. Tommy the cop is rough with Dickie and Mickey punches him, but that’s the least of the family’s problems. Dickie is sent to prison for a decade while Mickey decides to go back to a regular job and giving up boxing.

​

Many thanks to Anonymous!

 

[tzarinna]

Ugh, I don't want to read spoilers.
I hope it's a tear jerker.

 

[Cyrusbales]

This is the worst subject matter so far for aronofsky to tackle, however I have full confidence in his directing skills, so I shall look out for this one.

 

[Dark Donnie]

I think the story sounds real good.

 

[Dark Donnie]

Little Update:

The place does Wahlberg's physique a lot of good, but it's not just for getting ripped. Wahlberg is now closing in on year 2 of training for his crown-jewel film project, The Fighter. He hopes to start shooting in September, but things could still fall through, he says. And yes, you read correctly: year 2 of training. "I'll be disappointed [if it doesn't happen], because it's been a dream of mine," he says later. "That's a large part of why I built the gym, why I put that ring in there. Boxing is one of the toughest workouts you can have. I feel like if I had to run a marathon, I could." Then he smiles. "You relieve your frustrations, that's for sure."

Damn two years of training

http://www.menshealth.com/cda/artic...item=d51e9e1cc63e9110VgnVCM10000013281eac____

 

[tzarinna]

His body is going to be tight. :meow:

 

[Dark Donnie]

Mark Wahlberg Talks Aronofsky’s The Fighter, The Departed 2 and 3
Posted on Monday, June 30th, 2008 at 12:25 pm by: Hunter Stephenson



According to Mark Wahlberg, Darren Aronofsky’s The Fighter will begin filming this October. Awesome. You may remember that the film, a biopic on badass pugilist “Irish” Micky Ward, gained considerable traction in the press last year when Wahlberg and others compared it to a “new Raging Bull.” Brad Pitt later signed on to co-star as Ward’s brother/trainer, which was a welcome surprise after his casting debacle on Aronofsky’s The Fountain.

“I’ve been training for two years now. I’m ready,” Wahlberg told MTV. “I want to look like a champ, not a chump. …I want to do [Ward] proud. The guy did everything I wish I could have done. He came from nothing, went on to win the world title with all the odds stacked against him.”

Ward fought throughout the mid-’80s and ’90s, but he’s best remembered for three battles with Arturo Gotti in the early Oughts, two of which went down as the greatest in the history of the sport. Ward lost each one, but, well click here to for a refresher. Earlier this year, Aronofsky (Pi, Requiem for a Dream) wrapped up filming on the white trash indie epic, The Wrestler, starring Mickey Rourke (release date TBA), so if all goes as planned, we’ll be getting one helluva manly double feature that will turn us all into jittery pacifists. Somebody combine the Requiem for a Dream score with the YouTube link above and cause some goosebumps.

Wahlberg also updated on The Departed 2…

“They’re [still] developing it,” Wahlberg sighed. “If it can be better than the first, then great. I’ll be all for it. I’m not interested in going for the paycheck. I love ‘Godfather 2’ but, then again, I don’t like ‘Godfather 3.’”

Everybody wants to be The Godfather 2 these days, eh? Nothing revelatory in the quote above, but he also mentions the possibility of a Departed 3 (a prequel a la Infernal Affairs 2) as well…

“We may do another one, because it’s based on a Hong Kong film ['Infernal Affairs'], and there is a trilogy. So we may do a sequel with a new cast, and a prequel and bring back the rest of the guys…”

That would make for some heavy dream team assembling.

Discuss: Can Aronofsky/Wahlberg/Pitt reach the greatness of Raging Bull? Against tough odds, Infernal Affairs was a solid trilogy—do you think The Departed 2 and The Departed 3 will ever happen?

I'll put this in The Departed Sequel/Prequel thread as well

 

[Hunter Rider]

http://www.variety.com/article/VR1118002638.html?categoryid=13&cs=1

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

Relativity Media has stepped up to fully finance the film. Paramount Pictures, which initiated the project, will now be limited to distributing domestically.

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.

Project reteams Bale with Relativity and its fledgling one-off picture division, which produced the Bale starrer "3:10 to Yuma." Over the past few years, "The Fighter" has drawn some of Hollywood’s biggest talents but was KO’d on two previous occasions. The project first came together with Boston natives Wahlberg and Matt Damon toplining for director Darren Aronofsky. Damon dropped out and Brad Pitt was poised to replace him, but the picture still stalled. Then Aronofsky moved on.

Meanwhile, Wahlberg has continued to train for the pic and is in fighting shape.

David Hoberman and Todd Lieberman are producing through their Mandeville banner. Most recent script drafts were by Scott Silver and Lewis Colick (who rewrote the upcoming Zac Efron starrer "The Death and Life of Charlie St. Cloud").

Wahlberg will play Ward, a fighter who was losing bouts and was ready to hang up the gloves when his brother came back into his life. Bale will play Eklund, whose drugs and robbery spree drew him a 10- to 15-year sentence in state prison. There, he kicked drugs, became a model prisoner and emerged as a changed man who helped his brother reach the glory that eluded him.

Russell previously worked with Wahlberg on "Three Kings" and "I Heart Huckabees." The director gets in the ring for the first time with Bale, who’ll next star in the McG-directed "Terminator Salvation" and the Michael Mann-helmed "Public Enemies." The director, who is repped by CAAhas signed on for three projects in recent weeks including "The Fighter": "Aaron and Sarah" at Fox 2000 and "The Silver Linings Playbook" for the Weinstein Co.

Wahlberg and Bale are repped by Endeavor.

 

[Dark Donnie]

Not sure how I feel about O. Russell coming on board....would have preferred Aronofsky. As far as Bale, I liked Pitt when he was linked, but I guess Bale will work.

 

[Hush]

Yeah i don't know about Bale in this role, but it will show his range and if he can be on screen with Wahlberg and not over power him. Wahlberg is good but so is Bale, maybe they can feed off each other. So far only two people i know have ever seemed to pull attention of Bale when they have screen time togethor. Ledger and Matthew McConaughey, honestly.

 

[Rishi]

I'm a Bale fan but I think Damon or Pitt wouldve been better

...wait, Wahlberg is supposed to be the younger one?

 

[Dark Donnie]

I would assume so....Ward fought Gotti not to long ago....while Eklund fought Sugar Ray Leonard, I'm assuming in the 80's

 

[Catman]

Christian Bale and director David O. Russell

Bale, no, what is he thinking? This is not gonna end well...at all. Russell is notorious in Hollywood for being a jackass. He got into a shoving match with George Clooney on the set of Three Kings! After the incident on the set of Terminator I don't why he thinks working with Russell is a good idea. Oh, man.