Mickey Roarke to Play Villain in Iron Man 2

Posted on March 11, 2009

Mickey Roarke has signed on to play the Russian villain in Iron Man 2. There had been rumors of Roarke's involvement, but reportedly the pay they offered him was so low it was embarrassing. Then Roarke was nominated for an Oscar and won a Golden Globe for his turn in The Wrestler. So Robert Downey, Jr. -- who knows a thing or two about being given a second chance in life -- took matters into his own hands.

While his ICM rep, David Unger, battled for more dough, Rourke's encounters with "Iron Man" star Robert Downey Jr. on the awards circuit sealed his participation in the film. Rourke won the Golden Globe and was Oscar nominated for "The Wrestler" and Downey got Golden Globe and Oscar nominations for "Tropic Thunder," so Downey used each occasion to recruit Rourke.
When Downey, Rourke as well as actors including 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 met with Jon Favreau and scribe Justin Theroux and got to be part of the development of his character. He'll play Whiplash, a character that includes elements from that comicbook villain and Crimson Dynamo, another Russian baddie.

Marvel won't confirm the casting, but Variety says it's a done deal and that Roarke is getting a decent paycheck. Scarlett Johansson is said to be the favorite so far to play the Black Widow.

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