Mickey Rourke is set to play Welsh gay rugby star Gareth Thomas in a film about his life.

The 'Iron Man 2' actor got in touch with Gareth after reading about him, and is keen to turn his story into a big-screen biopic.

Thomas' spokesperson said: "Mickey Rourke is a big rugby fan and was flying to New York from London recently when he read an article about Gareth and thought he would be the perfect model for a film.

"Mickey contacted Gareth by a mutual friend in rugby league to express his interest and invited Gareth to watch the Jonathan Ross show and meet him for dinner afterwards.

"The fact that Mickey is so passionate about doing a picture has been really flattering and although we haven't come to an agreement yet we're really hoping it does happen."

Rourke, 57, made his cinematic come-back in 2008 with sports-themed movie 'The Wrestler', for which he was nominated for a Best Actor Oscar.