(Cover) - EN Showbiz - Mickey Rourke will have his teeth surgically removed for his new movie role.

The American actor is to play openly gay Welsh rugby star Gareth Thomas in a biopic about his life.

Mickey is so committed to the role he has agreed to lose his two front teeth so he can authentically play the part of the sportsman. He will also be working hard to learn how to pull off a tackle in the rough sport.

"Mickey intends to get as close to the character as he can. He thinks it is a great story, Gareths agent Emanuele Palladino said.

"He is going to get rid of his two front teeth and stuff - he will be taking them out. He really wants to throw himself into rugby and learn as quickly as he can.

The 58-year-old will not only work on his appearance to accurately play Gareth Thomas. The actor also wants to learn his native tongue Welsh and visit the country in order to understand Gareth as much as possible.

"He will learn Welsh where it is relevant. He also wants to film everything in Wales," Emanuele said. (C) Cover Media