Tantalizing Trivia: The Wrestler

The studio wanted Nicolas Cage to play Randy "The Ram" Robinson in The Wrestler (2008). Director/Producer Darren Aronofsky wanted Mickey Rourke as his first choice and had to fight to have him cast in the film. Rourke's well known erratic behaviour made the studio hesitant to cast him, and thought it would be hard to insure him. Aronofsky eventually won.


The talks were so much underway to have Cage star in the film that he was seen at wrestling matches researching for the role.

That must have been nice to rub in the studio's face... "Nah nah nah! Rourke won a Golden Globe and got nominated for an Oscar! I told you so! In YO FACE! Nic Cage... pfffftt... gimme a break."

Aronofsky didn't really say that... because he's not a five-year-old.