Mickey Rourke is in talks for 'Monkey's Nest'.

Retired boxer Ray Mancini wants the 61-year-old actor to star as the confidante of a single father who struggles to prevent his daughter from falling in love with a mob associate, in the new film which he is co-producing.

The 52-year-old sportsman hopes to make Rourke an offer ''within weeks'', according to the New York Post newspaper.

Mancini is convinced 'Monkey's Nest' has the elements needed for a successful film since it contains both action and romance.

He said: ''It's a story of a father wanting the best for his child.

''There's action, there's romance ... it's a good story.''

Rourke was catapulted to the spotlight in 80s films 'Barfly' and 'Angel Heart' but left acting and became a professional boxer in the early 90s.

The star made his comeback in Hollywood in 2005's crime thriller 'Sin City' before he won BAFTA award and Golden Globe Award for Best Actor in 2008's 'The Wrestler'.

More recently Rourke starred in 'Iron Man 2' and 'The Expendables'.