David O. Russell's The Fighter picked up two Academy Awards on Sunday (Best Supporting Actor and Best Supporting Actress), it's grossed over $100 million worldwide, and star/producer Mark Wahlberg isn't ready to give up the story of Mickey Ward just yet. Speaking to Extra [via The Playlist] on the red carpet Sunday, Wahlberg said:
"Now we're gonna talk about doing No. 2," Wahlberg explained. "We're gonna do the Ward/Gatti trilogy and make it real," referring to the real-life Mickey Ward's three fights with his most fierce opponent, Arturo Gatti.
Hit the jump for my thoughts on continuing the story of The Fighter.
While the fights between Ward and Gatti were undeniably brutal (you can check out the video below), what made The Fighter great wasn't the boxing. O. Russell did a great job shooting those scenes and explaining that world, but it's the family dynamic between the characters that makes the film breathe. If they can continue to evolve that dynamic in future movies, then I'm more than happy to see a Fighter sequel. However, if it's more about the boxing, then I think the sequel will pale in comparison to the first film.
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