Social media users were left baffled after Mickey Rourke attacked Robert De Niro in an Instagram post, threatening to "severely" embarrass his 76-year-old fellow actor next time he meets him. The Oscar nominee claimed that his agent had learned about De Niro calling Rourke a liar.
"Hey Robert De Niro, that’s right i am talking to you, you big f**king crybaby. A friend of mine just recently told me that a few months back you’re quoted as saying to newspapers 'Mickey Rourke’s a liar he talks all kind of sh**t'. Listen Mr.Tough Guy in the movies, you’re the 1st person that ever called me a liar and it was in a newspaper. Let me tell you something, you punk a**, when i see you i swear to God on my Grandmother, on my brother and all my dogs,i gonna embarrass you severely 100%. Mickey Rourke 'as God is my witness'", the actor wrote in a statement on his social media.
The post, which has received 15,000 likes, polarised social media users, with many siding with Mickey Rourke
Good for him. De Niro’s extremely overrated
— bob (@Username123898) July 18, 2020
robert de niro when mickey rourke lands in new york pic.twitter.com/FJpMW5IXDS
— logan ☭ (@trcinspotting) July 18, 2020
While the other side backed Robert De Niro.
I'll knock Mickey TF out! Leave Robert alone!! pic.twitter.com/GNDzxl2sfQ
— Tohrments Mistress😈👅🌘 (@MorbiusMistress) July 18, 2020
Bit distasteful seeing a ageing actor with awful cosmetic surgery pointing the finger at another elderly actor ! Grow up
— eyeswideshut (@tinytim95491820) July 19, 2020
Some netizens even started betting on a potential fight and imagined De Niro’s reaction.
10$ on Mickey, Robert just older and that's it
— MOOK (@w_landers) July 19, 2020
— Walter A La Carte (@walcivar3) July 19, 2020
Many Twitter users couldn’t figure out what the altercation was all about.
Trying to figure out what provoked this pic.twitter.com/gtMbZG8Lrr
— Burhan Khalid (@BurhanKhalid67) July 19, 2020
— Loki Is God (@LokiIsGod4) July 19, 2020
Some users contended that the two actors are trying to promote their new films.
Both have new films to promote. Mr O'Rourke would appear to need a little more publicity.
— Stephen Kerr (@kidcobbler) July 19, 2020
Others noted that Rourke still can’t get over a 1987 dispute when he starred alongside De Niro in the thriller Angel Heart.
They still beefing over their 1987 movie "Angel Heart" ? Lol 💀😭
— 𝐔𝐳𝐚𝐢𝐫 𝐌𝐨𝐡𝐦𝐚𝐧𝐝 (@Mohmand_alak) July 19, 2020
Back then, the rift reportedly started after De Niro snubbed Rourke when he wanted to introduce himself on the set. "I think it’s better if we don’t talk because of characters in the movie. It’s better if we don’t say hello, talk or anything", Rourke cited De Niro. The actor said that De Niro’s behaviour hurt his feelings.
In September, Rourke claimed that he was booted from Martin Scorsese’s The Irishman after De Niro allegedly refused to work with him. The film’s casting director and producers said Rourke was never asked to be in the film.
