Nerds wet their pants and spit-took all over their computers late yesterday when USA Today revealed the first look of Mickey Rourke in his role as the antagonist Whiplash in Jon Favreau’s “Iron Man 2.”
The image shows the Academy Award nominated actor in his character’s ridiculous looking and technologically underwhelming suit making an appearance at the Monaco Historical Grand Prix, presumably on his way from his native Russia to the United States. A cross between “The Road Warrior” and god, someone with bad weave, we hope he looks less laughable later on.
According to Favreau, the Russian villain whose alter ego is Ivan Vanko, “constructed his own version of a suit” consisting of whips powered by the suit’s glowing chest piece – a device that looks remarkably reminiscent of that worn by Iron Man.
It should be noted that Rourke’s character was previously reported to be a combination of Iron Man villains Whiplash and Crimson Dynamo. But other than Russian roots and age, Rourke character thus far seems to be drawn much closer from Whiplash.
One theory though suggests the reason for it is to link Rourke’s character to that of Scarlett Johansson’s Black Widow – who is also Russian, as some are speculating he could play her father, which is apparently different from the comics (sounds like they’re amalgamating characters to fit their needs).
“We like to play into and against the expectations that people might have, so we mixed it up a bit,” Favreau said alluding to changes from the text.” 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.” “Iron Man 2” is due out May 7th, 2010.
