Paparazzi shots of Mark Wahlberg recently had us puzzled when they were noted be from reshoots of David O. Russell’s “The Fighter.”
A topless Wahlberg was evidently photographed on set (seen on the left) bearing little resemblance to the defined body shape he was seen with for the film’s original shoot (right). The actor was also later photographed shooting exercise scenes presumably portraying an attempt to return to shape.
‘Fighter’ co-star Bo Cleary has now explained that Wahlberg’s mysteriously pudgy look was not a side-effect of heavy Christmas celebrations but is in fact a part of the film’s plot which occurs when “Irish” Micky Ward “had his layoff after the cop, played by [Cleary], broke his hand.” Marky Mark’s reputation lives on, we guess.
An early cut of O. Russell’s film test screened extremely well earlier in the year with plaudits and Oscar-talk coming in strong for Christian Bale and his portrayal of Ward’s brother and trainer, Dickie Ecklund as well as Melissa Leo who portrays the mother of both Eckland and Ward.
“The Fighter” also stars Amy Adams as Ward’s girlfriend and will likely see an award-season contending fall release. Rumors have also been floating about the film possibly featuring at the Cannes Film Festival in May but it seems unlikely, especially on the back on these reshoots. Would anyone even dare tell O. Russell he has to hurry up?
