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HOLLYWOOD -- After a slew of festivals and a Gotham bow, "The Wrestler" crew faced its final round of red-carpet preems Tuesday by taking on perhaps its toughest match -- an industry crowd at the Academy theater.

But helmer Darren Aronofsky and star Mickey Rourke held up like champs as they were surrounded by well-wishers at the low-key soiree.

Aronofsky described developing the script (with scribe Robert Siegel) with Rourke in mind. "It wasn't a lightbulb moment so much as it was just getting to know him. There's so much armor, but when you look into his eyes, you see he's as soft as a kitten."

Rourke, meanwhile, reflected on his career. "I've got many regrets and I know I'm not going to get another chance, but I've got a lot of time left to make up for the 13 to 14 years that I didn't work. All I want to do is be the best goddamn actor I can be."