Hulk Hogan has revealed that he had turned down the chance to star in Oscar-nominated movie 'The Wrestler' because he felt that he wouldn't be taken seriously as an actor.

The former ring star said that movie bosses had sent him the film's script several times in their attempt to persuade him to sign on, but he declined and the lead role eventually went to Mickey Rourke, who won an Academy Award nomination for his performance.

Hogan has admitted to being tempted by the story of a washed up wrestler who goes back to the ring, but didn't want to spoil the film's chances of success.

"When the script for The Wrestler kept coming to me I said, 'This movie is so good if you put me in the film as a wrestler people are going to say, 'No credibility, Hulk Hogan isn't a good actor', whatever Hollywood thinks of me," the Daily Express quoted him as telling Digital Spy.

"As soon as they put Mickey Rourke in there I knew it had a chance, and he did such a great, great job it re-lit his career," he added. (ANI)