Robert Downey Jr. has denied fellow Oscar nominee Mickey Rourke is set to play his nemesis in the upcoming Iron Man sequel.

Downey Jr. played the lead role of tycoon-turned-superhero Tony Stark in the 2008 comic book movie and is set to return for a follow-up. Rumors about actors set to join the cast of Iron Man 2 have been swirling for months, with stars including Emily Blunt, Tim Robbins and Sam Rockwell all linked to the project.

Rourke is the latest name said to be in contention for a role in the blockbuster, but Downey Jr. insists reports The Wrestler star has already signed up to play comic book villain Crimson Dynamo are false. He tells MTV.com, "That's actually incorrect."

And Downey Jr. has also refused to be drawn on further speculation about whether Rourke is in negotiations to play another character, Whiplash, in the film, adding, "I can neither confirm nor deny that. Or maybe it's some semblance of both. I can tell you everything about the story except I won't give away the ending. The nerd stuff is top-drawer security."

The movie is scheduled to hit cinemas in summer 2010.

-Click to View Gallery

(This news article provided by World Entertainment News Network)