Mickey Rourke sizes up 'Iron Man 2'

http://www.variety.com/article/VR1117998120.html

Wed., Jan. 7, 2009
Mickey Rourke sizes up 'Iron Man 2'
Actor may play Russian villian in Marvel sequel
By MICHAEL FLEMING

In what would mark his first studio film since resurrecting his career with "The Wrestler," Mickey Rourke is in talks to play the heavy in "Iron Man 2," the Marvel Entertainment sequel that director Jon Favreau begins shooting this spring.

Rourke is in discussions to play a villain described as Tony Stark's Russian alter ego, a heavily tattooed bruiser who is in the arms trade and battles Iron Man in his own nuclear-powered armored suit.

The script -- which is still being written -- is a guarded secret, but speculation is that villain is likely comicbook nemesis Crimson Dynamo.

Rourke goes into the Golden Globe weekend vying for best actor in a role that revived his career. Downey soared to become one of the most bankable stars in Hollywood when "Iron Man" grossed over $600 million worldwide.

Paramount Pictures will distribute the film in summer 2010.

Rourke is repped by ICM.