Mickey Rourke, who is being heavily tipped for an Oscar nomination for his role in The Wrestler, has signed up to Sylvester Stallone's 80's throwback action extravaganza The Expendables. According to Variety, Rourke will play an "unscrupulous arms dealer who becomes the go-to guy for a group of mercenaries planning to topple a South American dictator." Already in the cast are Stallone himself, Jason Statham, Jet Li, Forest Whitaker, Dolph Lundgren and UFC legend (and the generally awesome) Randy Couture. Now, don't get me wrong, I'm looking forward to this film; it should be a lot of fun if all the cards fall into place, but it's not the kind of role Rourke should be signing up for if he wants his startling career resurgence to continue. He's apparently returning a favour with Stallone, as he met him in a restaurant in LA when he was at a low ebb and Sly gave him a role in Get Carter. Wait, that was a favour? Just kidding, it's nice to see Rourke hasn't forgotten the rough times - let's hope Stallone hasn't either
