MICKEY ROURKE TO PLAY OUT RUGBY STAR?

American actor Mickey Rourke is in talks to star in a movie about the life of openly gay Welsh rugby player Gareth Thomas, who came out in December 2009.

According to WalesOnline.co.uk, the 57 year old Hollywood star approached Thomas after he read about the sportsman’s life in an article.

The two men later met when Rourke was in London for a chat show and they have reportedly since been in negotiations to get the film off the ground.

“Mickey Rourke is a big rugby fan and was flying to New York from London recently when he read an article about Gareth and thought he would be the perfect model for a film,” said Thomas’ management company, confirming that discussions are underway about the proposed film.

In October last year, Rourke was criticised for using an anti-gay slur while talking to the paparazzi on a New York City street.

“You can’t say faggot in LA. You can say bitch, you can say punk, but you can’t say faggot,” the 57 year old actor said. He later commented: “I don’t really give a fuck. Life’s too short. I have more gay friends than any 50 straight people I know, so I don’t really give a shit. I meant what I said.”

Rourke, who recently appeared in Iron Man 2, was nominated for an Academy Award for his leading role performance in the 2008 film The Wrestler.