Fox Picks Up "The Wrestler" – Comeback for Mickey Rourke?

Variety is reporting that Fox Searchlight Pictures has picked up director Darren Aronofsky’s The Wrestler at the Toronto International Film Festival for about $4 million. The drama won The Golden Lion at the Venice Film Festival on Saturday.

The film centers on Randy “The Ram” Robinson (Mickey Rourke), a burned-out, 1980s-era pro wrestler. After suffering a heart attack during a small-time match, a doctor tells him he could die if he fights again.

So Robinson takes a job at a deli, moves in with an aging stripper, and tries to build a relationship with her son. But the call of the ring — and a rematch with his old nemesis — looms large.

Mickey Rourke has averaged a few movies every year for the past 30 years or so. I remember thinking he was such an interesting and sexy character in 1990’s Wild Orchid. I don’t know if he’s just playing up the worn-out actor/wrestler thing, but man, he looks tough in recent film fest pictures. Don’t you think? Or is it just me? I don’t know if this is his comeback or his swan song.