Nicolas Cage: Wasn't 'dropped' from 'The Wrestler'

Nicolas Cage: Wasn't 'dropped' from 'The Wrestler'

It is hard to imagine anyone else playing the tortured sportsman after Mickey Rourke's stunning work as Randy "The Ram" Robinson in "The Wrestler", but the role was first offered to Nicolas Cage.

A popular web site caught up with Nicolas at the premiere of his new movie, "Knowing," Monday night in New York, where the actor cleared up recent rumors that he was let go from the Darren Aronofsky-directed project.

"I wasn't quote 'dropped' from the movie," the 45-year-old actor told Access. "I resigned from the movie because I didn't think I had enough time to achieve the look of the wrestler who was on steroids, which I would never do."

Cage said he actually called Mickey when he first got the script, to ask for the actor's blessing.

"The movie was written for Mickey," Nicolas explained. "And, for whatever reason, they couldn't get the financing for the movie back then."

Rourke received a Golden Globe and a Best Actor Oscar nomination for his work in the film.

"Knowing" opens in theaters on March 20.