Ambitious role: Rourke is set to take on the role of gay Welsh rugby player Gareth Thomas in the upcoming film
Thomas, who now plays rugby league for the Crusaders, confirmed in 2009 that he was gay, becoming the first professional team athlete to be open about being homosexual.
Rourke became friends with the athlete after reading about the former Wales rugby union captain in an article and his interest in Thomas led him to want to create the film.
As part of the actors transformation for the drama, he is said to be putting on a Welsh accent and losing his two front teeth.
Gareth Thomass manager, Thomas Palladino, gave WalesOnline an update on the film, saying: Mickey wants to film everything in Wales, although it is early days.
Tackle: He threw around the rugby ball with his trainer and practised tackles in Central Park |
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