The is-he-or-isn't-he debate about Mickey Rourke's involvement in "Iron Man 2" thankfully concluded with the actor joining the superhero flick. I say that not just because Rourke's turn as Marv in "Sin City" necessitated further comic book film work from the actor, but because his co-stars on the "Iron Man" sequel all seem to worship his performance.
Entertainment Tonight released yet another video from their "Iron Man 2" set visit, this time focused squarely on Rourke's role as Whiplash, the Russian inmate turned whip-clad warrior. While Whiplash has more than a few bones to pick with Tony Stark, actor Robert Downey Jr. has nothing but admiration for the villain's real-life counterpart.
"It was a big deal and we all worked very hard to make it happen," Downey Jr. said of signing Rourke for the film. "He's a serious actor, he's got a big wheelhouse of stuff. Our idea, and [director Jon Favreau] particuarly being so passion about Mickey being in this, we knew he would bring something to a nemesis character that would make it more engaging and more dimensional and all of that stuff."
"Once we thought of him, we started developing the costume and the design of the character around him," said Favreau of Rourke's involvement. "It took some time to make everything work out, but he was enthusiastic from our first meeting and I'm so glad that it worked out. Now he's a very formidable adversary to Robert Downey Jr."
But Iron Man isn't the only character that Whiplash has his sights on—Gwyneth Paltrow's Pepper Potts also comes into the equation, although the actress admitted that her work with Rourke himself was limited.
"We haven't actually worked together yet because everything I've done [with his character] has been his stunt double," she confessed.
Even if Paltrow hasn't had a chance to get screen time with Rourke himself, Downey Jr. provides all the testimony one needs to hear regarding the "Sin City" star's work on the film.
"Clearly, it's Mickey Rourke, and we're just so lucky to have him," said Downey Jr. "It's definitely raised the game a little bit."
Are you happy that Mickey Rourke signed on for "Iron Man 2," or are you still nervous about his on-screen outfit? Let us know in the comments section!