Verve Pipe's Vander Ark Cast In 'Metal God'

12/18/1999 7:00 AM, Yahoo! Music
Craig Rosen

(12/20/99, 7 a.m. ET) - Verve Pipe frontman Brian Vander Ark has been cast in the upcoming film Metal God, the story of current Judas Priest frontman Ripper Owens, who replaced Rob Halford in the band.

Vander Ark will appear in a support role opposite Mark Wahlberg (Boogie Nights, Three Kings) as Owens and Jennifer Aniston (Friends, Picture Perfect) as his girlfriend. Directed by Stephen Herek (Mr. Holland's Opus, The Mighty Ducks), the film is due to begin shooting in January.

The role will not be Vander Ark's first big screen role, as he has appeared in three films this year. Two of the films, Road Kill and The Space Between Us, were directed by newcomer Matthew Leutwyler, Both have been screened at several 1999 film festivals, with Road Kill (www.roadkillthemovie.com) winning the Audience Choice Award at both the Santa Barbara International Film Festival and FilmFest New Haven. Space premiered at the Seattle Film Festival and has been selected as the opening film for the San Francisco Indie Fest on January 6.

Vander Ark also appeared in Mergers & Acquisitions a film that is currently in post-production, and seeking financial backing. The Verve Pipe has been touring in support of its July self-titled album release, the follow-up to the 1996 multiplatinum album Villains. Currently there are only two dates on the band's itinerary, New Year's Eve at Monument Circle in Indianapolis, and a Jan. 27 gig in Big Rapids, Mich.Features on the Verve Pipe and Judas Priest are available on LAUNCH.com. A transcript of an exclusive chat with the Verve Pipe is also available.

-- Barry Jeckell, New York

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