14 DAY TRIAL // Only a couple of weeks ago, “Wrestler” star Mickey Rourke was talking to the media and revealing some details on the villain Whiplash from the highly anticipated “Iron Man” sequel. Included were also some hints that the villain suit was causing him problems, for reasons the star failed to specify. With the first official photo of Whiplash out, fans can now see why this was so.
Even for a man of Rourke’s athletic built the suit seems incredibly heavy, it has been pointed out. Moreover, from what the photo seems to show (and they probably don’t say that a picture is worth a thousand words for nothing), it is also extremely uncomfortable and bearing somewhat of a resemblance to the one that Iron Man himself dons to fight crime and basically right all wrong. The power pack on Whiplash’s chest, to be more specific, looks just like the one that Iron Man has – and director Jon Favreau says that’s the whole twist that the sequel will bring once it hits theaters.
“The technologies are definitely related. That’s part of the core theme of the film.” Favreau shares. Moreover, the director reveals to USA Today that Ivan Vanko, Whiplash’s alter-ego, “has constructed his own version of a suit,” which also includes a pair of whips connected to the power pack on his chest, which are bound to give Iron Man a headache. As a plus, having Rourke as a villain is sure to bring some extra thrills to the audiences as well, Favreau adds, judging from his performances in “Sin City” and “The Wrestler.” “It was very important that the villain be as compelling as can be… Once I thought of Mickey in that role, it made me understand how to shape the story.” the director explains for the same publication.
As we were also telling you a short while ago, Rourke hinted that the costume might be a surprise in more ways than one when he intentionally spilled the beans on how heavy it was. After getting back from Brazil, where he shot a couple of scenes for Sylvester Stallone’s “The Expendables,” yet another tremendously hyped action movie, the actor sat down with Empire and revealed that, while OK with physical challenges, he had a hard time with the Whiplash costume.
“I’m having the time of my life!” the actor said about joining Robert Downey Jr., Gwyneth Paltrow and the rest of the cast on the set of “Iron Man 2.” “It’s been really brutal, because my Iron Man suit weighs 23lb. It’s sort of a half-suit, with half my skin showing, with lots of Russian tattoos, because [Whiplash is just] out of a Russian-zone prison.” the actor added.