Quantcast
Rourke’s case of Whiplash – Metro US

Rourke’s case of Whiplash

After winning over fanboys with “Sin City” and critics with “The Wrestler,” Mickey Rourke goes up against Hollywood’s other current comeback king, Robert Downey Jr., in “Iron Man 2.” Not a huge fan of comic books himself, Rourke takes on the role of Whiplash, a villainous genius. Rourke spoke with Metro about his second round of fame, why he doesn’t watch movies, and his new favorite pet.

Do you like what your character adds to the franchise?

I didn’t see the film. I don’t know. You know, I read my character. I didn’t read a lot of the other stuff too clearly. I have no idea what’s in the movie or what it’s about, to be honest with you.

Is that how you usually operate?

Pretty much. Because I don’t want to know what’s going on. It’s like in life. You could get up and freak out right now and pull your pants off. I’m not going to know that. So I like to leave a little room open for the unexpected.

Was your character’s pet cockatiel your idea?

Yeah. I had to fight for the bird. It was a fight to just get the bird in the f—ing movie. Everything wasn’t just run by Jon [Favreau, director]. He had to go through the Marvel people. We had to get a green light, you know, to make sure the bird didn’t curse or pull its pants down or something.

You got yourself a bird similar to the one in the movie. Do you still have it?

He is behind the couch, next to the TV, because he likes to hear all the chatter.

Does he talk?

Yes he does. He says one really bad word. I can’t say it.

What letter does it start with?

Uh-uh. I want to work for the next 20 years.