Russell Set To Direct Wahlberg, Bale In 'The Fighter'

"The Fighter," a movie about boxer "Irish" Mickey Ward, a former world lightweight champion, and Dicky Edlund, Ward's half-brother and a boxer of somewhat lesser stature, has gone through several phases of casting and several directors.

The one constant in the casting process has been Mark Wahlberg as Ward. Other actors, such as Brad Pitt and Matt Damon, have been eyed for Edlund, but the role has gone to Christian Bale, who may even be more bankable than Pitt or Damon at this point.

Directing the movie will be David O. Russell ("Three Kings").