Christian Bale and Mark Wahlberg In “The Fighter” Photos

Christian Bale and Mark Wahlberg star in David O. Russell-directed drama “The Fighter” about boxer Irish Mickey Ward and his unlikely path to become world lightweight champion. Here are some photos from the movie.

“The Fighter” tells the true story of Boston fighter “Irish” Micky Ward and how he was helped to the world lightweight championship by half-brother and his trainer Dicky Ecklund.

Ecklund was a journeyman fighter who sent Sugar Ray Leonard to the canvas in 1978. His career was derailed by drug addiction and a prison sentence. Upon his release, he convinced his younger brother, Ward – who had retired from boxing at 26 after losing four straight – to get back in the ring. Under Ecklund’s tutelage, Ward won the WBU Light Welterweight title and engaged in one of the greatest fight trilogies in history with Arturo Gatti.

The Fighter | Christian Bale and Mark Wahlberg

Wahlberg plays Ward, a fighter who was losing bouts and was ready to hang up the gloves when his brother came back into his life. Ecklund turned his life around and helped his underperforming brother find the spark for a remarkable run that led to the world title.

The Fighter | Mark Wahlberg

Bale plays Ecklund, whose drugs and robbery spree drew him a 10- to 15-year sentence in state prison. There, he kicked drugs, became a model prisoner and emerged as a changed man who helped his brother reach the glory that eluded him.

The Fighter | Christian Bale

Over the past few years, “The Fighter” has drawn some of Hollywood’s biggest names. The project first came Wahlberg and Matt Damon (as Micky Ward’s older brother, Dickie Ecklund) toplining for director Darren Aronofsky. Damon dropped out and Brad Pitt was poised to replace him, but the picture still stalled. Then Aronofsky moved on.

The movie directed by David O. Russell from the script written by Scott Silver aslo stars Amy Adams, Melissa Leo and Jack McGee.

“The Fighter” is set to hit theaters in 2010.