Here is your first look at a leaner, meaner looking Christian Bale on the set of David O. Russell’s “The Fighter” (David O. Russell’s ‘Fighter,’ still such a weird thing to say, poor Aronofsky, who labored for so long to get this film off the ground).
As you can see, the new Bale bears greater resemblance to his “Machinist” days than the fit, muscular actor that we have grown accustomed to since. A sizable amount of weight seems to have been lost by “The Dark Knight” actor and also looks to have had his hair purposefully thinned for his role — former boxing champion, Dickie Eklund.
The film centers on the lives and boxing careers of half-brothers ‘Irish’ Micky Ward (Mark Wahlberg) a junior welterweight boxing legend from Massachusetts and Eklund — who becomes his brother’s trainer and mentor after his career went off track thanks to a debilitating drug addiction (hence the emaciated look).
In more ‘Fighter’ news, The Playlist has learned that actress Alison Folland (“To Die For”) “has joined the cast in a small role and will portray the ex-girlfriend of Mark Wahlberg’s Ward. Folland has recently had small roles in “The Happening,” “The Sisterhood Of The Travelling Pants” and “I’m Not There” and, in 1997, won the Independent Spirit Award for Best Actress for her role in Alex Sichel’s “All Over Me.” Melissa Leo (“Frozen River”) will play Wahlberg and Bale’s rode hard and put away wet, mother. Anyone have a copy of the most recent script? We read an excellent draft last year. Amy Adams plays the lead love interest.
“The Fighter” began shooting this week and is set for release in 2010. [Christian Bale Fan]
