Close Casting Calls: Mickey Rourke In Death Proof

By Erin Free

What Happened?

“I really only want to work with material that has integrity, and with actors and directors that I respect,” notorious bad boy Mickey Rourke once said. “You know, people like Tony Scott, Robert Rodriguez, Quentin Tarantino…there’s a shortlist.” Though Rourke has worked with Scott and Rodriguez on a number of occasions, the Oscar nominee and all-too-brief comeback king (courtesy of 2008’s The Wrestler) is yet to appear in a movie for noted fan, Quentin Tarantino…but it’s not for want of trying. The writer/director allegedly created the character of compromised boxer, Butch Coolidge (eventually brilliantly essayed by Bruce Willis), in 1993’s Pulp Fiction expressly for Rourke, but the actor turned it down to appear in the little seen F.T.W, which he also co-wrote. That’s hardly a slap in the face though, as Rourke also turned down major roles in Rain Man, Platoon, The Untouchables, The Silence Of The Lambs and 48 Hours. Director Jane Campion also wanted Rourke for her 2003 thriller, In The Cut, but he was vetoed by Nicole Kidman, who was initially set to star in the film. “If I was Nicole Kidman, I wouldn’t want to work with me either,” Rourke said in response. On 2007’s revved up car movie, Death Proof, however, Tarantino actually cast Mickey Rourke in the central role of psychotic killer, Stuntman Mike. Announcements had been made, but at the last minute, the actor mysteriously dropped out, and was replaced by Kurt Russell. “You know what?” Rourke responded when asked by Radar what had happened. “He [QT] hasn’t made any comments about it. And until he makes a comment about it, I’m not going to say anything. It just didn’t work out. And I hope that’s what he has to say. I’m just going to wait.”

Would It Have Worked? 

Mmmm…probably not. Though a great actor, it’s doubtful whether Mickey Rourke could have nailed Stuntman Mike’s pathetic nastiness. While a vicious killer, Stuntman Mike is also a complete loser, something that somewhat vain cool dude Mickey Rourke has never really been on screen before.