Mickey Rourke trying his best to be Gareth Thomas
Hollywood superstar Mickey Rourke adds as an extra attraction in Cardiff to the rugby league’s ‘Magic Weekend’. Rugby League may represent itself as the most fanatical, manliest of sports, but it has witnessed even more strong out of the field stories.
A number of 29,323 people came to witness the craziest of matches at the Millennium Stadium for the ‘Magic Weekend’, but the highlight was something else.
Mickey Rourke has been stealing an immense amount of attention since his appearance in Cardiff. Hilton was booked with suites not only for him but for the media personals that came to observe and review this historical moment of Hollywood getting in direct
touch with rugby. Cameramen and photographers fought to get a glimpse of Rourke, who sat in his VIP box.
Every rugby fan and personal knew that it was not a normal affair; for a growing sport like rugby this act was a positive attempt to take the sport out of its traditional boundaries. The Oscar nominated Hollywood superstar Mickey Rourke’s presence is a priceless
article of trade indeed.
His purpose of being there was to watch Gareth Thomas play for Crusaders, as he was collecting facts about him for the upcoming unnamed film. The Crusaders center’s story which is being covered in the film has already achieved global attention and will be
bringing rugby league to the international profile as well. International media came to cover the event and probably it is the reason every team demonstrated excellent skills and put up a fabulous show.
The match day was full of almost everything, including drama, a little controversy, storming play and a remarkable atmosphere. The organizers had already pronounced it as the most successful weekend prior to the exhilarating, sinuous rugby. The stadium roof
was decided to be closed for whole weekend. The total attendance of the complete weekend festival was 60, 214, which is more than the finals last season.
Nigel Wood the chief executive officer for Rugby Football League said, “It has been a really uplifting weekend, the premium initiative to a Super League season we have ever had.”
The 58 year old actor has to play the role of in-shape and super-fit rugby league player Gareth Thomas. After witnessing him live on the field, Rourke believes he has to work out a lot to be him. The 36 year old sportsman played to his best at the Millennium
Stadium at Salford and stunned everyone including Rourke.
Rourke admitted, “I've got to get my a*s into that figure. I'm going to be as fit as a fiddle.”
After the 42-12 victory over Salford, the Crusader’s center invited the superstar to his team’s dressing room. Rourke said, “I'm delving into rugby league but I'm doing it a little at a time. I'm not demanding to learn something I know not anything about
all in one day.”
Rourke will be getting his teeth implants removed on temporary basis, just like Gareth and will be getting as much real Gareth as he can. Rourke said, “I have got my fitness trainer coming in three weeks and he is going to be working with me for the next
10 months.”
Mickey Rourke has crossed his prime age so he probably won’t be playing any rugby in the movie, but he surely will be looking forward to be fit enough to look like he can play. He admits that it needs more than just hard work especially when it comes to
the Welsh accent. He might be able to adapt that accent, but he surely will look like Gareth in next few months.
So far it has been a good going between the two entities, both Hollywood and rugby and if this venture comes out to be successful, it will a giant step forward for the sport and Hollywood will surely find many big and heart-touching stories from the history
of rugby.
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