First Look: Mickey Rourke as Whiplash in ‘Iron Man 2′

Published by Jeff Leins on: June 10th, 2009

USA Today scored the first look at Mickey Rourke in full costume for next summer’s Iron Man 2.  The Oscar-nominated actor plays Whiplash, the new nemesis of Tony Stark/Iron Man (Robert Downey Jr.)  As you can see, Ivan Vanko/Whiplash has a power pack similar to Stark’s that he constructed on his own and a pair of whips energized by the chest piece.  In the comics, Vanko is a weapons designer for Stark’s business rival, Justin Hammer (played by Sam Rockwell in this sequel).  Director Jon Favreau wouldn’t confirm if this is the direction the plot is headed.

In an interview recently with The Guardian, Rourke said he learned some Russian for the film and will speak the language for half the movie.  He also added, “I’m not gonna rush out and see the next Batman, I’m not big on formula movies.  I don’t like all that Spider-Man shit.”  There you have it.  Rourke thinks Iron Man is better than Batman and Spider-Man. Get a load of his crazy suit and crazy tattoos though. There’s a pirate ship floating across his belly button…

Iron Man 2 is in theaters May 7, 2010.  The full-sized picture is below.