Mark Wahlberg is ready to follow up Christian Bale and Melissa Leo’s Oscar wins for the The Fighter with a sequel focusing on the famous Gatti-Ward trilogy.
Although hardcore fight fans and critics have given the film high marks, the former were disappointed that Ward’s most famous matches against Gatti weren’t included. The film ends several years before that famed trilogy, which earned Ward his highest career payday of $1 million in the third contest.
“We’re gonna talk about doing number two,” Wahlberg told Extra from the red carpet of the Academy Awards. “We’re gonna do the Gatti-Ward trilogy and make it real.”
Ward went 1-2 against Gatti and retired with a record of 38-13 with 27 KOs. At press time, neither Bale nor Leo have confirmed their willingness to participate in a sequel.
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You can put me in the camp of those who wanted to see the Gatti fights on the big screen. Nonetheless, the film was still very good with the story they told. Ironically, in the most critically acclaimed boxing films the actual sport is secondary to the issues the boxer faces outside the ring. The challenge would be making the Gatti-Ward relationship compelling enough to keep audiences enthralled.
Personally, I think they can do it. Gatti and Ward didn’t start off as friends. After that hellacious first fight where Ward beat Gatti within an inch of his life in round nine, and the second bout where Gatti busted Ward’s eardrum, a grudging respect blossomed into a friendship. That still didn’t stop them from beating the hell out of each other in the rubbermatch. Plus, they can go into Ward’s training of Gatti for Arturo’s last few fights, and the tragedy of his suicide, or murder depending on your viewpoint.
The big question is whether Melissa Leo and Christian Bale, after winning Oscars, are willing to let their characters play a secondary role to the Ward-Gatti relationship.
What do you think? Should Wahlberg leave The Fighter brand as is, or press for franchise status with a sequel? Before you vote, check the highlights from the Gatti-Ward trilogy.
Beats, Boxing and Mayhem 
Please make The Fighter 2 that has the Gatti-Ward that would be awsome