Micky Rourke and Darren Aaronofsky just wowed the Venice Film Festival crowd, picking up the top honors, which makes it little surprise that the film was formally picked up by Fox Searchlight for US distribution.

The film, The Wrestler, revolves around Rourke’s character, a former championship wrestler now eeking by in a supermarket day-job and the occasional weekend bout.

Darren Aaronofsky and Mickey Rourke (Photo courtesy of Getty Images)

Rourke recently reappeared on the Hollywood map after playing a violent yet emotionally complex thug in Sin City. Aronofsky is known for his bleak but visually captivating films Pi, Requiem for a Dream, and the box office dud (yet still gorgeous) The Fountain.

Searchlight said of the project: “Darren Aronofsky has created an unbelievably electrifying and compelling tale with tour de force performances.” The film will probably emerge as an Oscar contender.

No word yet on a release date, but check back for developments.

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