Mark Wahlberg Says Darren Aronofsky's 'The Fighter' Is Due To Shoot In October

Marky Mark Wahlberg says Darren Aronofsky’s “The Fighter,” is due to shoot this October. “I’ve been training for two years now. I’m ready. 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,” Walhberg told MTV.

Brad Pitt willl play his ward, which is a nice, full-circle good karma considering Pitt fucked over Aronofsky by dropping out of the original “Fountain” at the very last minute in the early aughts, forcing the project to be shelved for years. Even better for Pitt’s laurel-like gesture is he stepped into the role after Matt Damon droppped out.

This news is also remarkable considering the quick clip in which Aronofsky is shooting films. His wrestling film, “The Wrester,” starring Mickey Rourke and impossibly written by (Robert Siegel (the guy who wrote “The Onion” movie of all people) is already done shooting and has moved into post production. Obviously there was extenuating circumstances, but the director took six years between “Requiem For a Dream,” and the eventually finished “The Fountain” with Hugh Jackman.

Everything about “The Fighter” and “The Wrestler,” seem incongruous for Aronofsky. They have unimaginative titles (“The Fountain” not withstanding), they aren’t written by him (one’s a comedy for crying out loud!), and they’re full steam ahead. Is this a new phase for the once caliginous and moody filmmaker? [MTV]