It’s official! Mickey Rourke has closed his deal to play the Russian villain in Iron Man 2.
His involvement has bee known for some time, but hammering out the details lead to some conflict after Marvel Entertainment offered The Wrestler star only $250,000 for his first major studio film in years.
Well all that is over with and now Rourke’s salary will be now better than that.
While his ICM rep, David Unger, battled for more money it was really Rourke’s encounters with Iron Man himself, Robert Downey Jr., on the awards circuit that sealed his participation in the film.
Rourke and Downey met at the Golden Globe’s and Oscar’s and Downey used each occasion to sell Rourke on the film.
When Downey, Rourke, Frank Langella and Anne Hathaway took part in a roundtable discussion with Newsweek’s David Ansen, Downey interrupted the proceedings, reached across the table and flat out asked Rourke to do Iron Man 2.
Rourke also had meetings with Jon Favreau and screenwriter Justin Theroux allowing him to be part of the development of his character. He will be playing a character called Whiplash, which will include elements from the comic book villain of the same name as well as Crimson Dynamo, another Russian baddie who he was originally annouced to play.
Marvel wouldn’t confirm Rourke’s involvement, but he’s planning to join Downey, Sam Rockwell and Samuel L. Jackson in the film. Also, Scarlett Johansson is the current front runner to play the Black Widow.
source: Variety
