After wooing the geek-crowd with his macho turn in Robert Rodriguez's Sin City, this seems like a very good choice to get the same crowd a little more enthusiastic about the left turn choice in projects from Darren Aronofsky. Variety is reporting that Mickey Rourke has replaced Nicholas Cage in Aronofsky's latest film (still very much in pre-production), simply titled The Wrestler. A big plus that Rourke has some serious fighting experience (OK, his is in boxing, not wrestling, but still, better than Cage's recent foray in slapping and kicking around women in a bear suit). I'm still holding out that this wrestling picture is going to devolve into some sort of existential madness in the vein of Barton Fink. Time will tell.
"Randy "The Ram" Robinson, a 1980s-era star pro wrestler who has become a burnt-out shell of his former self. After he has a heart attack during a small-time match, a doctor tells him he could die if he fights again. In an effort to build a new life, Robinson takes a job at a deli, moves in with an aging stripper and tries to build a relationship with her son. But the prospect of a rematch with his old nemesis the Ayatollah proves too tempting to resist, even if it means risking his life."
Mickey Rourke wrestling picture? Could be a pip, could be a pip.
Waaaaay better choice than Cage. Now I actually have an interest in seeing this because Rourke is a total bad ass and has been great in recent films.
If it was Extreme Fighting and not wrestling my attention would be raised way more. Need to track down the script to see what this is all about...