Nicolas Cage has denied he was dropped from The Wrestler in favour of Mickey Rourke.
"I wasn't, quote, 'dropped' from the movie," the 45-year-old actor told Access Hollywood at the New York premiere of his new film Knowing. "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."
Nicolas was first offered Mickey's part of Randy 'The Ram' Robinson in the film.
Mickey received an Oscar nomination and a Bafta award for playing the washed-up wrestler in the film directed by Darren Aronofsky.
"The movie was written for Mickey," Nic said.
"And, for whatever reason, they couldn't get the financing for the movie back then."