We here at Exclaim! thought it was pretty weird when reporting that Norwegian black metaller/convicted murderer Varg Vikernes was released from prison back in March. But now things are getting even crazier. According to Blabbermouth, teen heartthrob Jackson Rathbone, of the Twilight series and upcoming M. Night Shyamalan venture The Last Airbender, has signed on to play Burzum mastermind Vikernes (aka Count Grishnackh) in an upcoming film production of Michael Moynihan/Didrik Soderlind's 1998 novel Lords of Chaos. This was the "true" account that documented the rise of Norway's black metal scene and ensuing drama that resulted in notorious murders, church burnings, rivalries and prison convictions, most notably Vikernes's 16-year sentence.
"It's a fascinating subject, a visually great world and a funny portrait of Norway," comments noted producer Stuart Pollok of Los Angeles-based Saltire Entertainment about why he is engaged in the film. "Quite possibly, black metal is Norway's greatest cultural export of the last 20 years." Japanese director Sion Sono will oversee the film, which is slated to start shooting in Norway by mid-September.
As with the novel, the Lords Of Chaos film will depict - or at least be based on - controversial events that occurred during the early '90s. Await Vikernes's comments on the film and Rathborne's portrayal, as he had the following to say about the book, circa 2004, on Burzum's website:
"[Lord of Chaos is] a pool of mud... the vast majority of all the statements made in this book are either misinterpretations; taken out of context; misunderstandings; malicious lies made by enemies; a result of ignorance; extreme exaggerations; and/or third-hand information at best. This includes the statements attributed to me!
"This book serves only one single purpose and that is to create a myth around my name and to mystify me. If that was their objective they have indeed succeeded with their work. Well, the book seems to have served one other purpose too. The authors have managed to fill the heads of a generation of metal fans with lies. What could have been a righteous revolt has been made into some pathetic, embarrassing, brain-dead, impotent and traditional poser-culture best exemplified by bands like DIMMU BORGIR - and indeed VENOM!"
While that statement rocks (other than slagging Venom), this rocks more:
"It's a fascinating subject, a visually great world and a funny portrait of Norway," comments noted producer Stuart Pollok of Los Angeles-based Saltire Entertainment about why he is engaged in the film. "Quite possibly, black metal is Norway's greatest cultural export of the last 20 years." Japanese director Sion Sono will oversee the film, which is slated to start shooting in Norway by mid-September.
As with the novel, the Lords Of Chaos film will depict - or at least be based on - controversial events that occurred during the early '90s. Await Vikernes's comments on the film and Rathborne's portrayal, as he had the following to say about the book, circa 2004, on Burzum's website:
"[Lord of Chaos is] a pool of mud... the vast majority of all the statements made in this book are either misinterpretations; taken out of context; misunderstandings; malicious lies made by enemies; a result of ignorance; extreme exaggerations; and/or third-hand information at best. This includes the statements attributed to me!
"This book serves only one single purpose and that is to create a myth around my name and to mystify me. If that was their objective they have indeed succeeded with their work. Well, the book seems to have served one other purpose too. The authors have managed to fill the heads of a generation of metal fans with lies. What could have been a righteous revolt has been made into some pathetic, embarrassing, brain-dead, impotent and traditional poser-culture best exemplified by bands like DIMMU BORGIR - and indeed VENOM!"
While that statement rocks (other than slagging Venom), this rocks more:
