In a fantastic bit of news, it’s being reported that both Mickey Rourke and Sam Rockwell are in discussions to play villains in the Summer 2010 mega-blockbuster, Iron Man 2.

Unfortunately, much confusion is stemming from this announcement.

Variety is reporting that Rockwell’s potential role isn’t known yet and that Rourke would be playing a big Russian arms dealer with a tattoo collection who eventually becomes Crimson Dynamo.

On the other hand, THR is reporting that Rourke would be playing a big Russian arms dealer with a tattoo collection who eventually becomes Whiplash, a former electrical technician for Stark Industries who decides to go villain and who is actually called Backlash because Whiplash is a female superhero now. They’re also hearing that Rockwell would be playing Justin Hammer, a much older gentleman who is a rival businessman to Stark Industries — a character who just doesn’t look or sound like he’d be fitted to Sam Rockwell’s style.

Anyone still with me?

Yeah, I’m lost too.

It sounds to me like something got very lost in translation along the way here. If I had to go make a crazy guess, I’m thinking Rourke will play a big, scary, tattooed Russian arms dealer who becomes Crimson Dynamo, another dude in a super powerful suit like Iron Man and War Machine. Rockwell would be more fitting for the Backlash role, if you ask me. And this leaves an empty Justin Hammer role, which if it’s in the script, they should go for Terrence Stamp, or maybe Malcolm McDowell!

In reality, this is the movies, so director Jon Favreau and the studios can basically put anyone they want in the roles — but looking at casting from the first movie, it appears they like to be pretty accurate.

But the point is, Mickey Rourke and Sam Rockwell are in discussions to be villains in Iron Man 2. That’s all we really need, right?

Specifics hopefully soon to follow!

[Source: Wiki]