Rourke recalls brutal 'Wrestler' training

Rex Features

Mickey Rourke has revealed the tough training routine he underwent while preparing for his role in The Wrestler.

The 52-year-old said that he endured a regime of bodybuilding and a strict diet to play Randy 'The Ram' Robinson.

"It was physically brutal. I had to do seven and a half months of extensive weightlifting, and eating six or seven meals a day, to put on 27 pounds of muscle," he told The Sun.

"That's not a lot of time, so I had this ex-soldier who was very strict with me about my training regime and my diet. This guy took it personally if I didn't show up.

"I was staying in a hotel and I had a late night and I wasn't answering a phone call from him and he actually came up to the room and I tried to get up in a little ball and put the covers over me in hopes that he would go away. The jerk went down and got the key."

Rourke added: "He got paid well, but it wasn't that with him. It was the principle and I really respected him. Then there was four and a half months of wrestling training. By the time the movie started I thought it was over!"