Fox Picks Up "The Wrestler" - Comeback for Mickey Rourke?
September 8, 2008 by Jane Boursaw
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.
