Last July we got our first look at Marky Mark Wahlberg and co-star Christian Bale on the set of their new film The Fighter. Back then, Marky looked all muscular and hawt … while Christian looked like a methed-out crack head. Today we get to see new photos of Wahlberg on the set of this new film … but all those hawt muscles are now gone, replaced by a whole lot of flab:

When Mark Wahlberg first leaped to fame in the Nineties, he quickly gained a legion of female fans thanks to his toned six-pack. But spotted filming his latest film The Fighter in Los Angeles yesterday, the 38-year-old was a far cry from his former toned self as he displayed a rounded paunch. Wahlberg is playing American welterweight boxer ‘Irish’ Micky Ward in his new film, who spent several years away from the ring before being convinced to return by his half-brother Dickie Ecklund. Given the actor’s out-of-shape appearance yesterday, it is clear he is filming scenes from Ward’s three-year hiatus from boxing. When Wahlberg started filming last year, he was looking buff after training for 18 months for the role. But after taking a few months off working out, Wahlberg’s toned stomach has turned podgy in preparation for scenes featuring Ward’s brief retirement. The Fighter, which is due for release this summer, has been a long-time coming for Wahlberg, who first signed on to star in the movie in 2007. He started training immediately, but was concerned after Darren Aronofsky withdrew from directing the role, before David O Russell signed on last April. Brad Pitt was due to play Ecklund, but dropped out and was replaced by Christian Bale. Ever the method actor, Bale was spotted looking emaciated on set of the film last summer to play Ecklund, who struggled with an addiction to crack cocaine and spent time in prison for various charges, including drug possession.

Yeesh … talk about your method acting. I have to say, tho, that this weight gain by Wahlberg isn’t nearly as serious as the emaciating weight loss that Bale endured for his role in this film. Marky may be a bit beefier but he doesn’t look all that bad … Christian Bale looked TERRIBLE in the photos we saw last Summer. I would hope this new film turns out to be a box office hit … it’d be a shame for these guys to put their bodies thru this must stress for a box office bomb.

[Photo credit: Splash News; Source]