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Rourke's Resurrection
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After years of b-list parts, Mickey Rourke talks to The Daily Beast's Tom Tapp about the performance of his career, his empty bank account, and how he cut himself for his new hit role.
The Wrestler, which closes The New York Film Festival on Sunday, is generating Oscar talk, chiefly because of Mickey Rourke’s performance as an aging ring warrior confronting lost glory. It’s a role that has resonance for Rourke, marking a personal best many had hoped for but few ever thought they’d see after years of bad roles and tabloid headlines.
In an interview with The Daily Beast, Mickey Rourke discloses:
• his interactions with Nicolas Cage, who had first signed up for the role but later dropped out
• that he’s been living on loans for the last few months
• the favor he called in from Bruce Springsteen
• the fact that he actually cut himself in the face with a razor to draw blood for the film
"I’d rather go borrow money from someone than do a movie for a payday. I don’t care if you’re paying me ten fucking million. I’ll sit on my ass."
How do you feel about the Oscar talk?
Great. Are you kidding me? When you’ve had all the years I’ve had when you’re out of the game, it’s nice to be above ground.
The Wrestler is not an obvious Academy film. It will take you getting out and talking to people—journalists, voters, etc.—about it. And the Oscars are five months away. You ready for that?
Absolutely. All the way. You know, I handled shit wrong for 15 years—or longer. If I knew it was going to take this many years to put the pieces back together again, man, lemme tell you, I would have handled things differently. I just didn’t have the tools. I got a lid on it now.
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Tom Tapp is the West Coast Editor of The Daily Beast. He has been covering the entertainment industry for over a dozen years as an editor and writer, both online and in print. Before joining The Daily Beast, Tom Tapp created and ran Hollywood WireTap.com, which was named one of the 100 "Sites to Bookmark Now" by Entertainment Weekly before being sold to Hollywood Media Corporation.
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Tom Tapp is the West Coast Editor of The Daily Beast. He has been covering the entertainment industry for over a dozen years as an editor and writer, both online and in print. Before joining The Daily Beast, Tom Tapp created and ran Hollywood WireTap.com, which was named one of the 100 "Sites to Bookmark Now" by Entertainment Weekly before being sold to Hollywood Media Corporation.
There is a show on the BBC at the moment called the "Dark Side of Fame" presented by Piers Morgan who used to be a tabloid newspaper editor and has reinvented himself as a presenter. Its premise is, each week a fallen 'celebrity' reveals the trials and tribulations of their career and how they got their lives back on track with the help of...etc. etc. . The guest and interviews have been patchy to say the least, but this weeks edition feature Mickey Rourke, in what proved to be, probably the stand out show of the series.
For people like me who grew up in the eighties and remember Diner, Rumblefish, Angel Heart et. al. it was great to get hear from one of the truly stand out actors of his generation. So glad he's back doing seriouse work and not another fricking reality TV show. More power to you Mick!
When Rourke is on screen, you can not take your eyes off him; it is a gift that Brando, Newman, Stewart and the ilk shared. I even understand, and respect, his love of his dog. I believe he is a troubled soul and I wish him nothing but the best. I second the motion that he is truly one of the outstanding actors of his generation. Stay well.
Bad Seed: Mickey Rourke is a bad man. A very bad man.
Rourke: Shut the f*** up little girl, or I'll gig' ya.
Bad Seed: Hollywood phony.
Rourke: At least I'm workin'.
Usually, I'd be snarky and talk about how Americans love a good redemption story, the once-good guy turned bad, lost in the wilderness, finds himself in the 3rd reel. And whilst that's probably true for both the movie and Mickey Rourke, somehow it feels shallow to say it of him (haven't seen the movie yet). River Phoenix, another youngster who looked oh-so promising, didn't make it. Mickey Rourke went through h*ll over many years, yet still manages to come back this powerfully. I'm glad that the 'soppy American redemption story' finally has something as substantial as Mickey Rourke to burn away the gaaaah factor and make it respectable again.
Do it the way you want to do it, fuck the rest.
I love the guy too but why do we care? Next week he will drive his car into a crowd of blind school children with CNN right there. He can't help it. It is his Chi. Truth is, we just like to watch. (See Spears, Britney)
The Wrestler is the best movie of the year, so well acted and the story is amazing. Mickey Rourke should win the oscars, if he doesn't then I have no respect for that award show anymore.
I am a 60 year old woman from Bay Village,Ohio who has followed Mickey since "The Pope of Greenich Village"I am not a movie buff,but had decided to go to the theater to buy a ticket just to support him.I watched the Golden Globes alone,praying the Mickey would win,although knowing how they seldom get it right.I fully expected Brad Pitt to win for being handsome.When they announced Mickey Rourke,I leapt ouff the couch teary eyed.I wish him well,and wish he knew how many average everyday fans he has outside of California!
Thank you.
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