According to Variety, Christian Bale (The Machinist, Batman Begins) is set to star in Harsh Times, David Ayer’s directorial debut.

This semi-autobiographical flick is about a Marine who comes home from Iraq to start a family and civilian life but quickly becomes entangled with an old friend from South Central whose layabout ways have begun to catch up with him.

The project will begin production in Los Angeles and Mexico at the end of January. Freddy Rodriguez (“Six Feet Under”) and Eva Longoria (“Desperate Housewives”) also star.