Mickey Rourke Signs on for Iron Man 2
Mickey Rourke
Comeback kid Mickey Rourke has wrestled his way into two new projects.
The Golden Globe winner has signed on to play the Russian villain Whiplash in Iron Man 2, according to Variety. Rourke has been in consideration for the role for several months, but the deal took some fine-tuning after Marvel initially offered The Wrestler star only $250,000.
Rourke, who was recruited by Iron Man star Robert Downey Jr. during the awards-show circuit, met with director Jon Favreau and writer Justin Theroux to develop his character. Whiplash will include elements of the comic-book character of the same name, as well as Crimson Dynamo, another Russian evildoer.
Rourke will also keep his indie spirit alive in Mitch Glazer's Passion Plays. Glazer (The Recruit, Scrooged) will write and direct, but the details of the plot are being kept under wraps. The film is currently seeking a female lead.
Rourke has also signed on for the Sylvester Stallone action flick The Expendables and the Indian gangster movie Broken Horses. He can next be seen in the Hollywood glam adaptation of Bret Easton Ellis' book The Informers.
