Mickey Rourke to play homosexual rugby star in new movie

American actor Mickey Rourke is set to play the role of homosexual British rugby star Gareth Thomas in a new biopic.

Rourke thought Thomas would be the 'perfect model' for a movie after reading a report about him 'coming out'.

Rourke and Thomas met for dinner after Rourke appeared as a guest on Jonathan Ross's BBC chat show.

Both their managers are in talks now to make a film based on the life of Wales's most-capped rugby union international, The Sun reported.

Rourke wanted to do a film on rugby for some time but couldn't, until he read Thomas's story.