AceShowbiz -

Sad to say that Matt Damon has taken departure from "The Fighter" due to busy schedule, but his possible replacement thankfully will be as remarkable as the actor in acting quality.

That's right, Paramount Pictures has confirmed that Brad Pitt is now in discussions to take over Damon's role of Dickie Eklund, a real-life talented fighter who turned to crime but later changed direction by helping his under-performing half brother to be a boxing champion. Set to play the brother, Micky Ward, is Mark Wahlberg with Darren Aronofsky to direct.

If deals are reached, the project thereby will finally mark a real collaboration between Pitt and Aronofsky. The two previously were about to team up in last year's "The Fountain" in 2002, but Pitt surprisingly decided to pull out of the flick during preproduction, forcing Aronofsky to shut it down until Hugh Jackman came in.

Intended to be a biographical feature of Ward's life, "Fighter" will chronicle the Lowell-born boxer's early days on the rough streets of the city to his eventual world championship in London. Scott Silver is working on the latest draft of the script with David Hoberman and Todd Lieberman both serving as the producers.