London, July 19 - American actor Mickey Rourke is set to play the role of gay British rugby star Gareth Thomas in a new biopic.

Rourke thought Thomas would be the 'perfect model' for a movie after reading a report about him 'coming out'.

Rourke and Thomas met for dinner after Rourke appeared as a guest on Jonathan Ross' last BBC chat show.

Both their managers are in talks now to make a movie based on the life of Wales's most-capped rugby union international, reports The Sun.

Rourke wanted to do a movie on rugby since some time but couldn't, until he read Thomas' suitable story. (ANI)