Not sure how much everyone out there knows about Ironman 2, but it has been confirmed that Tony Stark’s nemesis in the sequel will be none other than Whiplash. Whiplash is one of Ironman’s original foes and keeping with the theme of this weekly post, here is some info you might find interesting concerning Mickey Rourke’s latest character. So here’s Whiplash in the latest edition of Get To Know Your Superhero:

Whiplash first appeared in Marvel comics in 1968 and was created by Stan Lee and Gene Colan.

His real name is Mark Scarlotti.

Scarlotti, like Tony Stark, is a genius level weapon developer.

Scarlotti worked for the crime organization named Maggia.

While working for Maggia, Scarlotti took an assignment to go undercover and work for Stark Industries to steal intelligence and eventually take down Tony Stark.

During his time as a weapons developer, Scarlotti developed duo cybernetically controlled titanium whips that he uses to deflect bullets, smash his opponents and vault his body over obstacles.

Once the whips were developed, Scarlotti became Whiplash and attacked Tony Stark.

Whiplash is defeated at the hands of Ironman and his body is returned to Maggia.

Whiplash, embarrassed, is kicked out of Maggia and changes his name to Backlash.

Backlash blames Tony Stark and Ironman for his demise and vowed revenge.

After a short time of trying to live a normal life, Scarlotti is contacted by Maggia again with a job to assassinate another scientist.

Backlash agrees, but is stopped by Rhodey and Spiderman and thrown in prison.

When he is released, Scarlotti is contacted by crime lord Justin Hammer to become a freelance thug.

Backlash is also contacted by The Architect to compete against other villains for a large cash prize. Craving a normal life, Scarlotti agrees to go to NYC.

Backlash is then defeated by Bullet and brought to the hospital where he calls his wife to come clean.

Scarlotti’s wife agrees to go to NYC and bring his costume – but she is brutally murdered by an assassin named Shatter-Head.

Backlash eventually find Shatter-Head and snaps his neck.

Around this time Ironman (Tony Stark) returned from another dimension and Backlash changed his name back to Whiplash.

Whiplash goes on a hunt for Tony Stark when he is met by the Ironman costume (at this point the costume can control itself letting Stark and Ironman coexist).

The Ironman costume beats Whiplash to death and drops his body into a river.

So there you have it. Whiplash is a very torn character who basically represents the opposite of Tony Stark. He is resentful, not heroic and can be bought. Now that you have some back story on Whiplash, you can go into the theater next Summer and impress your friends with your knowledge of Tony Stark’s latest villain.

Nope, sorry no trailers yet, but I figured I’d let everyone know of a couple of big movies being filmed right now that contain Ocean’s 11-type casts. Hopefully they won’t be Steven Soderbergh-type crap fests.

First up, Ridley Scott’s Robin Hood. Apparently someone in Hollywood forgot who Kevin Costner is (I don’t blame them) and green lit yet another Robin Hood flick. But instead of the Bodyguard splitting arrows with Morgan Freeman at his side, we’ll be treated with an all star cast consisting of Russel Crowe as Robin Hood and Cate Blanchet as Maid Marian. Throw in William Hurt and Alan Doyle and you’ve got a lot of high-paid Men in Tights. Check the first released image from the set of Ridley Scott’s Robin Hood below.

Next up, has anyone heard of this project called The Expendables? Probably not and its probably because it’s been kept under wraps for a while now. The Expendables looks to be an action explosion as the brief early synopsis states that, “a group of mercenaries head to South America to overthrow a dictator.” Sounds like an episode of the A-team to be honest, and the the cast consists of some A-list action stars. Headlined by Rocky himself, Sly Stallone, The Expendables carries the big names of Jason Statham, Mickey Rourke, Arnold Schwarzenegger, Brittany Murphy, Jet Li, Eric Roberts, Stone Cold Steve Austin and Dolf Lundgren. Check below for one of the first released images of The Expendables.

Both films are looking at a 2010 release, but it’s nice to get an ear to the ground on this stuff early so we can plan our movie schedules.

Photo: Reuters/Danny Moloshok

This is possibly the best acceptance speech I’ve ever heard. This is of course Mickey Rourke at the Spirit Awards, which happened on February 21st, making an acceptance speech for the Best Male Lead Film for his role in The Wrestler. First off we have to pre-warn you of the language, but that’s the best part. It’s so real and unrehearsed and quite amazing, none of that fluffy PR prepared stuff, this shit you can tell was straight from the dome and heart. Just straight comedy, watch and you won’t be disappointed. Here’s a quote “…banging the girl in the ass in the bathroom…”

New Yorkers, this show is a must catch today at Santos House Party. Thunderheist is not to be taken lightly, as this duo kills it every time and expel so much energy that you’ll be yelling for another Red Bull to keep you going. Don’t believe me? Well then read my concert review on Thunderheist here and see what you could be possibly missing. Oh and their track “Jerk It” (video below) was in the film The Wrestler starring Mickey Rourke and Marisa Tomei, so congrats on them for getting that.

Doors open at 7pm, tickets are $10 advanced and $12 at the door.

In case any of y’all missed Tracy Morgan’s speech or Sacha Baron Cohen or hell Tina Fey’s speech where she told some innanet haters to go suck it. Here it is. Tina Fey’s speech was actually quite hilarious and I laughed like an asshole on Sacha Baron Cohen’s joke about Madonna and Guy Ritchie.

On a side note big ups to Slumdog Millionaire for cleaning up and big ups to Mickey Rourke for winning best actor for his role in The Wrestler, both these movies are the best that I’ve seen this year.

Source: YouTube

Although I’ve seen Pi, Requiem for a Dream, I still believe The Fountain is Darren Aronofsky’s masterpiece.  The Wrestler is Aronofsky’s latest film with Mickey Rourke taking the helm as Randy “The Ram” Robinson, an aged wrestler that lives for the thrill of his profession despite his aging body.  After watching the trailer, I thought Mickey Rourke really captured the role of seasoned wrestler who can’t give up the game, m.i.a. father/bff to Evan Rachel Wood’s character and comfort buddy to Marisa Tomei’s role.  The trailer shows no sign of visual effects like that of The Fountain.  Instead Aronofsky lets Rourke close the deal on this movie.  And with Clint Mansell behind the soundtrack, this should be a winner.

Source: Youtube