With his recent film The Wrestler appearing on lists of the top movies of 2008, >, it’s no surprise that Mickey Rourke’s next career move will be closely watched.  In addition to filming 13 and the Sylvester Stallone film The Expendables, Rourke is attempting to cash in on a blockbuster franchise by playing a villain in Iron Man 2.

Rourke is in discussions to play the Crimson Dynamo, a heavily tattooed Russian arms dealer. He’s considered to be an evil version of Iron Man because he battles the superhero in a nuclear-powered suit of armor.

Script is still being written by Justin Theroux, and Marvel has been trying to keep a wrap on details leaking out to fanboys.

[From Variety]

Although it seems to be clear that he will be playing a tattooed Russian bad guy, Variety and The Hollywood Reporter can’t agree on the name of his character.  THR reports:

Rourke would play a tattooed Russian heavy named Ivan who becomes Whiplash, a man with deadly, technologically enhanced coils.

[from THR]

Whatever his character’s name, Iron Man seems like a good choice for Rourke.  The Wrestler, a gritty film, was done by Darren Aronofsky (Requiem for a Dream, The Fountain, Pi), and proved that he has the chops to take on heavy roles.  If he does well as Whiplash/ Crimson Dynamo, he’ll also prove that he has star power.  Although the Iron Man franchise is not as dark and therefore not as demanding as, say, The Dark Knight, the first film held together well with wise casting choices.  Rourke will have a lot to live up to.  Robert Downey, Jr. is of course returning as Tony Stark, Gwenyth Paltrow will continue as Pepper Potts, and Don Cheadle is replacing Terrence Howard as Rhodey.

I’m not so sure, however, about the Stallone film The Expendables.  The movie also stars Jason Satham, Stallone, Jet Li, and Forest Whitaker, and sounds like exactly the kind of B movie Rourke’s agent will be turning down after Iron Man.

Mickey Rourke is shown at the Critics Choice Awards on 1/8/08. Credit: WENN