The Wrestler

Ew.

Mickey Rourke has been spotted, for the second time, in New York in the company of Victoria's Secret model Eugenia Volodina.

The Wrestler star, 56, and the Russian beauty, 24, have been on multiple dates since they met in a club a few weeks ago.

Someone has told Volodina that Rourke is the guy who is constantly being photographed with his hand down his pants, right?

Christian Bale is stepping into the boxing ring with Mark Wahlberg.

The two have signed on to co-star in Darren Aronofsky’s new film The Fighter, his follow up to The Wrestler.

We’re sensing a theme here.

Bale will play troubled, crack-addicted real-life boxer Dicky Eklund and Wahlberg will play his half-brother, also a boxer, “Irish” Mickey Ward.

This bad boy has Oscar written all over it.

Matt Damon and Brad Pitt were originally signed on to star.

Tara Reid won’t be appearing in the latest American Pie film, Book of Love.

Some reports say negotiations broke down, forcing her to pull out. We’d bet she heard the rising chorus of uproarious laughter at her pathetic backslide and she jumped ship in an attempt to save whatever miniscule remnants of some version of dignity she has left.

Too bad.

American Pie 7 totally could have been her Wrestler.

—Sasha Perl-Raver

Mickey Rourke’s acceptance for Best Actor in The Wrestler at the Independent Spirit Award on Saturday was nothing short of bizarre.

We were with him when he dedicated the award to his beloved pet dog Loki, who died in his arms on February 15th, but then he threatened to beat up Rainn Wilson, who had impersonated him in an earlier skit, saying, “That little blond dude who did that thing, I’m going to beat your ass when I get out of here,” forgot the name of his co-star, Marisa Tomei, and broke the microphone.

Last night the Independent Spirit Awards were handed out and the winners were:

Best Feature: The Wrestler, Darren Aronofsky, Scott Franklin

Best Director: Tom McCarthy, The Visitor

Best First Feature: Synecdoche, New York, Charlie Kaufman

Best First Screenplay: Dustin Lance Black, Milk

Best Supporting Female: Penelope Cruz, Vicky Cristina Barcelona

Best Supporting Male: James Franco, Milk

Get those ballots and cheat sheets ready, kids, Gossip Sauce has your Oscar winner predictions below...that is, unless you’re in our Oscar pool, in which case, piss off.

That’s right, I’m talking to you Miss Kelly, and you Mister Tye, and you Mrs. Jorgensen-Reilly, and don’t think I forgot about you Miss King or you, Miss Taylor. Pick your own damn winners. Big Mama needs a new pair of shoes and that pot is all ours!

Rumors have been flying online all week about the possibility of Mickey Rourke and Courtney Love being a couple after a UK newspaper reported the pairing.

When a cameraman caught up with Rourke and asked him about the story, The Wrestler actor replied, "I'd rather be on a deserted island with a gorilla."

Burn!

Is anyone else suffering from award season fatigue or is it just us?

Last night the BAFTA Awards were announced and, as usual, it was a parade of every winner we’ve seen all year. We can practically recite them in our sleep.

In case you’ve been living under a rock for the past three months, the winners (again) were:

Best Film: Slumdog Millionaire

Best Director: Danny Boyle, Slumdog Millionaire

Leading Actor: Mickey Rourke, The Wrestler

Leading Actress: Kate Winslet, The Reader

The London Critics Association handed out their awards last night and their honors weren't a major departure from the critics stateside. With the exception of no Heath Ledger and big love to David Fincher and Steve McQueen, it's pretty close to what we've come to expect this award season: Slumdog, Mickey Rourke, Kate Winslet, rinse, repeat.

The winners were…

Film of The Year - The Wrestler

Richard Attenborough Film of The Year - Slumdog Millionaire

Oy.

Mickey Rourke showed up to Monday’s Oscar nominee luncheon at the Beverly Hilton Hotel looking like a pimp who got lost on his way to the boulevard to make sure his tricks were making him that scrilla.

Hand down the pants like Al Bundy on the couch, as always, no socks with his loafers (or are they slippers?) and sunglasses (inside!) at the most prestigious luncheon in Hollywood.

That guy is repellent beyond comprehension.