Mickey Rourke is set for a starring role in Iron Man 2 - after the film's bosses finally agreed to the Oscar-nominee's pay demands.

Rourke was rumored to have turned down the chance to play Russian villain Whiplash, after he was offered $250,000 for the part.

But the Wrestler star has now signed up to star alongside Robert Downey Jr. in Jon Favreau's follow-up to his 2008 hit, after studio chiefs at Marvel upped his pay packet, according to Variety.

Rourke joins a star-studded cast including Sam Rockwell and Samuel L. Jackson in the movie, which is scheduled to hit cinemas in summer 2010.

(This news article provided by World Entertainment News Network)