I don't think you are going out on a limb when you claim that Mickey Rourke is a pretty astounding actor. Since his big return in THE WRESTLER, he has continually surprised us with his performances, even in his more mainstream fare.

He seems to be open for just about any role he seems fit, as he is set to play Gareth Thomas, an openly gay rugby player that is 22 years younger than he. Hit the break to see what Rourke had to say about the role!

When asked if he was set to play "a gay rugby player," he responded with:

"You’re not supposed to say that, okay? Here’s the deal. When I met the rugby player, Gareth Thomas, this is one thing that he and I talked about. This is something that’s really important. We’re doing a movie about a man who plays rugby who is gay."

He then continues on why he finds what Gareth has accomplished is so important:

"I read the story. it’s one of the toughest, hardest sports in the world to play. They play with no pads. They play… it’s a really brutal sport. To be a man who plays rugby who is gay and to live with that secret for the amount of years that Gareth had, to perform at the high level that he performed at, it takes a lot of courage."

It seems like they have a pretty good idea as to what the film has to say, and the message they want to have perceived. It's really nice to see them take on such an important, topical issue in what seems to be a very positive manner. Although the ideas of the film sound really great, it is hard imagining Rourke in the role. This is something that is sure to be alleviated when he blows us away with the performance, which he is certainly capable of doing. We'll just have to wait and see.

Source Bleeding Cool, via /Film