Brad Pitt will star opposite Mark Wahlberg in boxing flick The Fighter, a drama about boxer Irish Mickey Ward and his unlikely path to become world lightweight champion.

According to Variety, Brad replaced Matt Damon because of scheduling conflicts.

Mr. Pitt will play Dicky Eklund, Mickey's half-brother and a talented fighter who once went the distance with Sugar Ray Leonard in a title fight but then turned to crime and landed in prison. Then he turned his life around and helped his underperforming brother find the spark for a remarkable run that led to the world title.

The Fighter will be directed by Rachel Weisz's hubby Darren Aronofsky (Requiem for a Dream, The Fountain).

[JJ]