Mickey Rourke in training for gay rugby role

Actor Mickey Rourke tells 5 live's George Riley about his new film role - a biopic of gay Welsh rugby player Gareth Thomas. Rourke is currently researching the role, and visited Cardiff's Millennium stadium with Welsh boxing champ Joe Calzaghe to observe a rugby league match.

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• gareth
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[anthonynewsome]

could they not use Jason Statham - let MR produce/direct etc - no amount of CG will make Rourke look like Gareth Thomas

[povilasbacevicius]

don't get me wrong I love mickey but im worried because next year he's gonna be 60 year old and he keeps pushing himself physically he still smokes red malboros and this film is not even in production so maybe they gonna start pre-prodution in 2012-13 so during the release of this film mickey gonna be in his early 60s it doesn't sound realistic

[suzukinez]

@povilasbacevicius -im a big fan of mickey r, but i wonder if he plans on more surgery to play a guy not whos 37 and looks younger but the guy in his mid 20s durin rugby years,,,,mickey i believe is 59 but with the very best of make up would only at the least pass for 47+,,,,,plus more agreeing with you i think this will take a toll on his body,,,,,hope he does well tho

[6018ba]

Poor choice. I know make up and lighting can do wonders, but Rourke doesn't even look good for his age. (look at that neck) How can he convincingly play a man more than twenty years younger?

[4165mc]

@ajm6665 yes, Jason Statham cant act his way out of paper bag. He's a very limited actor and lacks the talent to play this role. Plus, he's only 5'9" which I dont think ppl realise. The emphasis is on the emotional dimension of it - that is what GT wants. If you're telling a story, ultimately it doesnt really matter what the actor looks like - its about the story. the actors that participate do not have to look like the ppl theyre playing. I am not crazy about Micky Rourke but hey...

[joelarama]

Surely he is backing the film financially? Why else would he play Gareth? And the accent too? Mmm..Good luck mate.



[J7Management]

My band - The Big Beat is playing in the background.

[GRBJ4]

If he wants to make the movie the right way he should give the part to someone else.