Mickey Rourke Goes Behind The Iron Curtain To Prepare For ‘Iron Man 2’
Golden Globe winning actor Mickey Rourke, who has just signed on to play the role of Iron Man villain Whiplash in the upcoming sequel, made his way to Russia last week to tour the grounds of the Butyrka Prison in Moscow in order to prepare for his comic book role. Here are a few photos of Mickey inside Butyrka Prison getting a feel for what it must be like to be a prisoner in Russia:
Less than a month after he capped a remarkable comeback with an appearance at the Oscars, Mickey Rourke spent three hours in a high security Russian prison. The American actor, who was nominated for a Best Actor Academy Award for his turn in The Wrestler, visited the Butyrka prison in Moscow to research his latest role. Rourke has signed up to play Russian villain Whiplash in the upcoming sequel to comic book movie Iron Man, in which he’ll star alongside Robert Downey, Jr. In a bid to understand his character’s experiences, Rourke was given a guided tour around Butyrka prison on Friday. He was accompanied by guards during his visit and spent some time in the cells to get a feel for how the inmates live. Rourke even ate a prison meal and played table tennis with a guard. At one point when he lay down on an inmate’s bed, Rourke quipped: “My sofa seems much stiffer.” Butyrka prison was notorious during Stalinist times for its brutal conditions and thousands are believed to have been killed by firing squad there. The Iron Man sequel will also star Gwyneth Paltrow, Don Cheadle and Scarlett Johansson. It will be directed by actor-turned-filmmaker Jon Favreau.
HMMM … I somehow doubt that the Russian guards allow prisoners to wear bright blue designer loafers and sunglasses but, overall, it looks like he got the gist of being a Russian inmate. I have to say, I’m very glad that the rumors about Mickey getting the Whiplash role in the sequel turned out to be true … I think we all know at this point that he is a superb actor and will deffo bring much to the character. I’m less excited about the news that Scarlett Johansson will be appearing in the movie as well. In my estimation, Emily Blunt would’ve been a much better pick … but, sadly, that rumor did not pan out. In any event, we know that production has officially begun on Iron Man 2 and now that we know that Mickey has begun his movie prep things should be coming along very quickly from here on out. Woot!
[Photo credit: Splash News; Source]
Tags: 'Iron Man 2', Mickey Rourke
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March 17th, 2009 at 1:16 pm
Same reaction from me when I heard Scarlett was gonna be in it. :( Otherwise, I’m excited!!
March 17th, 2009 at 2:39 pm
Mickey Rourke freaks me out. Emily Blunt would have been amazing! Scarlett is just eye candy. BLAH.
March 17th, 2009 at 2:48 pm
I LOVE Micky Rourke and can’t wait to see anything he does! I’ve missed him!!!
March 17th, 2009 at 4:29 pm
Mickey Rourke freaks me out too that’s why I think he’s gonna be good in this role and movie yay!!
March 17th, 2009 at 5:30 pm
I think Mickey Rourke is totally badass. I mean, he went all the way to Russia to visit a high security prison to study his role’s surroundings. He could of just went to some American prison…(you know… where they get recliners? lol)
You have to laugh at his choice of footwear though…your in a Russian Prison! Put some runners on or something? haha.
March 19th, 2009 at 4:33 am
I’m stoked that Mickey Rourke is gonna be in it. Not stoked about Scarlett though.