Boston-born Mark Wahlberg has landed a plum role portraying the legendary boxer "Irish" Mickey Ward in the upcoming film "The Fighter."
"I've been dying to do a boxing movie my whole career," one-time street fighter and "Boogie Nights" star said in an interview. "I've been close to doing two, and they kinda fell apart, but it's something I'm very excited about."
The drama will follow boxer Ward's unlikely road to the world lightweight title. His Rocky-like rise was shepherded by half-brother Dicky, a boxer-turned-trainer who rebounded in life after heavy involvement with drugs and crime. Matt Damon has been cast in the role of brother Dick Eklund.
Wahlberg, who nabbed an Academy Award nomination for his supporting role in "Departed," next stars in the Paramount thriller "Shooter."
