The Wrestler whips into action . . .

It won’t hit our screens until next May but the first image of Iron Man’s new nemesis Whiplash hit the net today.

The image, courtesy of USA Today shows Mickey Rourke as the tattooed villain who will go up against Robert Downey Jr’s iron headed hero.

Whiplash, AKA Russian Ivan Vanko, has created his own version of Stark's suit, complete with a pair of arm whips, which are powered from the suits chest piece, a glimpse of which can be seen in the picture below.


First impressions? Steering away from the almost gimp like image often displayed in the comic books is a positive. Going for less armour and a look that focuses more on brawn and technical wizardry without covering up Rourke’s face is cool also.

After riding high on the success of The Wrestler, it’s good to see Mickey Rourke back on our screens. Expect to see interesting things from him in the future. Ones to watch? Iron Man 2 and the Gela Babluani remake 13.

The sequel will also pit socialite Tony Stark against Sam Rockwell’s Justin Hammer, a rival industrialist who will trade in his British accent for an American one on his way from the comic book to the screen.

And last but by no means least, Scarlett Johansson will play Russian spy Natasha Romanoff AKA Black widow. Johansson was cast after actress Emily Blunt pulled out last minute.

More information is sure to be released during the coming weeks; Iron Man 2 is released on 7th May 2010.