Christian Bale is stepping into the boxing ring with Mark Wahlberg - the actors have signed up to co-star in new film The Fighter.

Bale will play boxer Dicky Eklund in the movie, 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.

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, reports Daily Variety.

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(This news article provided by World Entertainment News Network)