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Mickey Rourke signs up to play Whiplash in upcoming 'Iron Man 2'

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Hot on the heels of his success in The Wrestler Mickey Rourke is set to tackle another action role. He's has inked a deal to star in Iron Man 2 – with a little persuasion from Robert Downey Jr.

Keen to sign up the star Robert used their frequent recent encounters on the awards ceremony circuit – Mickey won a Golden Globe and was Oscar-nominated for The Wrestler, while Robert received nominations for Tropic Thunder - to secure the 56-year-old actor's participation.

And his hard work paid off. Mickey, who played a tough anti-hero in Sin City, has reportedly agreed to portray Russian villain Whiplash.

Rounding off a stellar line-up, the former boxer will join lead Robert, Samuel L Jackson, Gwyneth Paltrow and the front runner to play fictional super-spy Black Widow, Scarlett Johansson, in the Marvel Comic film follow-up.

Photo: Rex
Mickey is to play Whiplash, a character who also encompasses elements of another Iron Man baddie, Crimson Dynamo
The Wrestler star was reportedly persuaded to take on the role by the film's lead, Robert Downey Jr, pictured in his Iron Man guise