Christian Bale is stepping into the boxing ring with Mark Wahlberg - the actors have signed up to co-star in new film THE FIGHTER.
Bale will play boxer DICky Eklund in the movie, about the path to redemption from a life of drugs and crime he discovers by helping his half-brother, Wahlberg's character 'Irish' Mickey Ward, to win the world lightweight championship.
Director Darren Aronofsky had previously lined up Matt Damon and Brad Pitt for the role, before Bale was poised as a replacement.
Production is scheduled to begin in July (09), reports Daily Variety.