Mickey Rourke has signed to appear in Darren Aronofsky’s “The Wrestler,” replacing Nicolas Cage.

Nicolas Cage had been attached to play the main character in Darren Aronofsky’s “The Wrestler,” but left the project. Variety reports that, as of Sunday, Cage’s motives for bailing out were not known.

The director has reportedly replaced Cage with Mickey Rourke, who will portray Randy “The Ram” Robinson, a veteran wrestler who returns to the ring for one last shot at glory, per Variety.

The film’s script was penned by Aronofsky and Robert Siegel. Shooting reportedly begins in January.

Rourke has finished filming for the John Madden-directed “Killshot,” scheduled for a 2008 release. The film stars Joseph Gordon-Levitt, Diane Lane and Rosario Dawson, among others.

Rourke is currently working on “The Informers,” a Gregor Jordan-directed adaptation of the Bret Easton Ellis novel. The ensemble cast includes Billy Bob Thornton, Kim Basinger, Winona Ryder and Brandon Routh.

Aronofsky’s previous credits include 2000’s “Requiem for a Dream,” which starred Ellen Burstyn, Jared Leto and Jennifer Connelly, and 2006’s “The Fountain,” starring Rachel Weisz and Hugh Jackman.

The director is also planning to helm “The Fighter,” a film in a similar vein to that of “Wrestler.” The biopic of famous Irish-American boxer Mickey Ward will star Mark Wahlberg as the one-time World Lightweight Champion, while Brad Pitt has signed to play Dicky Eklund, his older half-brother.

Mickey Rourke, 55, recently made headlines when he was arrested last Thursday on suspicion of driving under the influence in Miami Beach. He was reportedly driving a green Vespa. He was taken into police custody and released a few hours later, after posting $1,000 bond.

His comeback performances over recent years, after a break from acting, in “Sin City,” “Once Upon a Time in Mexico,” “Man on Fire” and “Domino” have been well received.