Christian Bale is stepping into the boxing ring with Mark Wahlberg - the actors have signed on to co-star in new film The Fighter.
Bale will play boxer Dicky Eklund in the film, about the path to redemption from a life of drugs and crime he discovers by helping his half-brother, Wahlberg's character 'Irish' Mickey Ward, to win the world lightweight championship.
Eklund was famous for fighting with now boxing legend Sugar Ray Leonard before drugs blighted his career.
Director Darren Aronofsky had previously lined up Matt Damon and Brad Pitt for the role, before Bale was poised as a replacement.
Production is scheduled to begin in July.
Summer looks set to be a busy time for the Batman actor as his new movie Terminator Salvation, in which he takes over the role of John Connor, hits cinemas.
The Fighter is also the first film for director Darren Aronofsky since he achieve critical acclaim with The Wrestler earlier this year.
Tagged in Christian Bale Mark Wahlberg