Amy Adams can do no wrong in my book, but if you were afraid all she was destined for was bubbly fare such as "Leap Year" or "The Ten Best Days of My Life" then you'll be glad to know she's taking a detour through the rough part of town. Adams is set to join Christian Bale and Mark Wahlberg in the true life tragedy of "The Fighter."

"The Fighter" is the story of lightweight championship boxer "Irish" Mickey Ward (Wahlberg), and his trainer and brother, Dick Eklund (Bale). The film will portray their early days on the streets of Lowell, Massachusetts, Eklund's bout with drugs and violence and Ward winning the world championship in London. If you're wondering where a lovely girl fits into all this, The Hollywood Reporter reveals that Adams will play Charlene, a "tough, gritty bartender and former college high-jumper from Massachusetts" who ends up involved with the tough-as-nails Mickey. She won't be the only woman on set, as Melissa Leo ("Frozen River") has also joined as the boys' mother. Read more...

Though Christian Bale has two huge entries in the summer ’09 movie season—“Terminator Salvation” and next Wednesday’s “Public Enemies”—he hasn’t actually shot a film in a year. But this July he’ll be returning to work and—as MTV’s Josh Horowitz learned during an interview with the actor to promote “Enemies”—kicking some serious ass when he does.

The film, called “The Fighter,” co-stars Mark Wahlberg, and tells the true story of “Irish” Micky Ward (Wahlberg), who goes on a “Rocky”-like journey through the world of light welterweight boxing with the help of his brother Dickie Eklund (Bale), a boxer-turned-jailbird-turned-trainer. Read more...

This may be the sternest film that goes into production this year -- but given the names involved, it will probably be one of the best. Variety is reporting that Christian Bale has joined Mark Wahlberg for "The Fighter," and that David O. Russell may be along to direct the grim, tense ride.

"The Fighter" is the true life tale of Boston fighter "Irish" Mickey Ward (played by Wahlberg), who was coached to the world lightweight championship by his half-brother, Dicky Eklund (played by Bale). After suffering a number of defeats, Ward was ready to retire until pushed back into the ring by his brother. Read more...

After two years in development, Mark Wahlberg and Darren Aronofsky's long gestating boxing biopic on underdog champion "Irish" Micky Ward is finally going to begin shooting in October, the star told MTV News.

"I've been training for two years now. I'm ready," he said. "I want to look like a champ, not a chump."

But Wahlberg has more than just a few moves to his credit these days, he's also got a healthy dose of fighting words for anybody who thinks that what the world needs least right now is another boxing movie.

Yes, there have been many classic movies to center on the sport, Wahlberg admits, and, yes, he told us last year, he'd of course like it to hold up to "Raging Bull," the undisputed champion of the genre. Read more...