Micky Ward story gets some punch from Bale and Wahlberg

Christian Bale as Lowell legend Dicky Eklund? So says Variety. The Dark Knight has signed on to costar with Mark Wahlberg in "The Fighter," the story of local boxing champ Micky Ward and Ward's half-brother, Eklund, who trained him. Wahlberg and "Fighter" producer Dorothy Aufiero, who supervised production on "Good Will Hunting," have been trying to get a green light for the movie for years. Brad Pitt was originally cast as Eklund, but yesterday Variety announced Bale's involvement and reported that David O. Russell, who worked with Wahlberg (left) on "Three Kings" and "I Heart Huckabees," had signed on to direct. Originally, "Wrestler" director Darren Aronofsky was supposed to helm the project. Aufiero told us she's fine with the personnel changes. "Love it, love it," she said. "I'm ecstatic over Christian Bale. I think it's going to be a great film." We've heard that before. Asked whether "The Fighter" is an official go, Aufiero said she couldn't comment, but if it happens, she'll make a push for the film to be shot locally. After all, Micky and Dicky are Lowell institutions. "You know I'm plugging for Boston," she said. "I think it has a good shot." Aufiero says shooting could start as soon as July. Ward was in Los Angeles this month to talk to Wahlberg about the project. Aufiero also declined to tell us how much the script will delve into Eklund's long history of drug problems and trouble with the law. He was in court for domestic assault charges as recently as January. Those charges were dropped.