It appears that Mickey Rourke’s role in “The Wrestler” could cross over into his real life. The Oscar nominated actor told "Access Hollywood" that he will compete in "Wrestlemania 25," professional wrestling's biggest show, on the 5^th of April in Houston.

 

If his plans to take part in the event become reality, the 52-year-old movie star may be competing against one of the WWE's superstars, Chris Jericho. Rourke already felt the urge to taunt his potential opponent by warning him that he would better get in shape because he is going to toss him all around the ring. In reply, Jericho said that Rourke was out of line, adding that being an actual wrestler is a totally different thing from playing one in a movie. So the bottom line is that he considered Rourke’s comments offensive.

 

But the actor was not impressed at all, on the contrary, he feels very confident in himself, because he performed his own stunts in the movie, which features extensive scenes of him battling in the ring.

 

In “The Wrestler” he embodies the character of Randy 'The Ram' Robinson, a fighter who is forced into retirement by a heart attack. The actor acknowledges the similes between himself and his character in "The Wrestler." He thinks the role of a man past his prime time had resonance for him.

 

Rourke has won critical acclaim for his role in this film, a Golden Globe for the best actor category, which also earned him best acting nominations from SAG and the Broadcast Film Critics Association.

 

In his speech at the Golden Globes the actor paid tribute to his agent, David Unger, for rescuing him from oblivion. He also thanked Darren Aronofsky, director of “The Wrestler,” for casting him despite the fact that his name didn’t mean much anymore. The film has put his career back on track and he already has several films in the pipeline, including a sequel to the superhero movie Iron Man.