CNN Reports on How Rourke was Picked to Star in "The Wrestler"

CNN.com has posted this article detailing how Darren Aronofsky, director for the soon-to-be-released movie "The Wrestler", approached Mickey Rourke to star in the film. The movie, as well as Rourke, has received rave reviews at recent film festivals and even won the Golden Lion award at the Venice Film Festival. Fox Searchlight has announced a December 19 release date for the film.

Wrestling Movie Picked up for U.S. Distribution

New dramatic film “The Wrestler”, a film starring Mickey Rourke that follows a former professional wrestling star whose been reduced to making ends meet on the independent wrestling circuit, was picked up Monday by Fox Searchlight for U.S. distribution.

The film, co-starring Marisa Tomei and Evan Rachel Wood, won the award for best film at the Venice Film Festival on September 5th and drew raves at the Toronto International Film Festival this past Sunday. “The Wrestler” will make an appearance at the New York Film Festival on October 12th.

Not to be confused with the 1974 movie of the same name starring Ed Asner and scores of wrestlers such as Dusty Rhodes and Dick Murdoch, “The Wrestler” features pro wrestlers Ernest Miller and Ron Killings.

Scheduled for a December release, “The Wrestler” is already being touted as a possible Academy Awards contender.