Director Gavin O'Connor has signed on Nick Nolte, Tom Hardy, Joel Edgerton and Jennifer Morrison to star in Warrior, a drama set in the world of mixed martial arts fighting for Lionsgate.

According to Variety, Nolte plays an ex-Vietnam vet boxer-turned-steel mill worker whose family was torn apart by his alcoholism; the now-sober and remorseful dad welcomes back his youngest son (Hardy) and trains him to compete in a mixed martial arts tournament. He and his older brother, played by Edgerton, are on a collision course in the ring.

O'Connor wrote the script with Anthony Tambakis, and the helmer will produce with brother Greg O'Connor.

Production begins in April in Pittsburgh.