The Fighter is directed by David O. Russell, of Spanking the Monkey, Flirting with Disaster, Three Kings, I Heart Huckabees as well as the never-released project Nailed previously. Russell took over the project after Darren Aronofsky dropped out a few years ago. The script was co-written by Paul Tamasy (Air Bud, Walking Across Egypt) and first-timer Eric Johnson with Scott Silver (Johns, The Mod Squad, 8 Mile). Paramount is bringing The Fighter to limited theaters starting on December 10th with an expansion the following week.