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Burzum main man Varg Vikernes (aka Count Grishnackh) was released from prison last week, having served 16 years of a 21-year prison term for the fatal stabbing of fellow musician Øystein Aarseth (aka Euronymous) of Mayhem. So it’s probably not too coincidental that producer Stuart Pollok announced this week that a movie of Varg’s life — based on Michael Moynihan and Didrik Søderlind’s book Lords of Chaos: The Bloody Rise of the Satanic Metal Underground — is moving forward with production.
The film will be directed by cult Japanese director Sion Sono, known for his J-horror flicks, who will make his English film debut with Lords of Chaos. And, in a move that will surely have black metal purists everywhere gnawing their hands in blind rage, the lead actor will be played by none other than dreamy Jasper Hale himself, Twilight star Jackson Rathbone (pictured above).
Rathbone will certainly have his hands full portraying Vikernes (pictured below in his glory days), a self-professed Nazi fond of torching churches, railing against the “Jew-press” in his prolific personal writings and, er, obsessing on The Lord of the Rings. Considering his self-professed dislike of “media-scum," Vikernes is unlikely to endorse the film. Describing Moynihan and Søderlind's book, he previously said, “[The authors] have no insight into or even good knowledge about the subjects discussed and ..don't understand one bit what Black Metal was about on 1991 and 1992...they have managed to fill the heads of a generation of metal fans with lies.”
No word yet on how soon filming will begin; Rathbone is currently busy shooting Twilight: New Moon, and is also cast as the lead in M. Night Shyamalan’s big-budget (he still gets big budgets?) flick The Last Airbender. But Lords of Chaos will be shot in Norway, with Pollok's assurances that his casting directors will include Norwegian actors. And while we don’t know what to make of a quote from Pollok calling the forthcoming psychological horror film “a fun portrayal of Norway,” we do plan on seeing it. However, we do not plan on seeing it in Norway. 
— Tatiana Simonian
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Okay, I heard about this form a friend, disappointed to say the least... Why can't Varg play his own damned self!? I like the idea of a movie in a respect, a documentary would be nice, since the book was comprised of facts. Since Varg does not flamingly sparkle with homosexuality, and in fact, gays are hated in the black metal community, this was a poor decision for an actor. If Varg had a say, I think he may like some sort of movie, but with someone mocking his image? Definitely NO.
Wow... People have some strong opinions on this one, eh? I look at it from this perspective... Jackson definitely physically resembles Varg. A LOT. And, although I abhor the media whore Twilight has become, he is a decent actor. I think this is him stepping out of that "dreamy teen hunkmeister" role the poor guy's been pigeonholed into. Playing a Satanic Black Metal rockstar is certainly the way to do it. As far as everyone flipping out about "don't make black metal mainstream" etc... At some point or another, every type of music is popular. I'm a huge fan of Japanese prog rock and symphonic metal, and it's getting a bigger cult following than I'd like, but ya know what... Music is music and it's meant to be shared. If the artists didn't want people to listen to their music, then maybe they shouldn't have written it in the first place. Everyone's possessive mentality about everything in general is a big part of what's wrong with this country. I think Jackson Rathbone's got balls for taking on this role and I hope he rocks the hell out of it to prove all you naysayers wrong.
black metal is not ment to be marketed. the fact that it is being marketed to a larger audience is a disgrace! and it is music for satanist! anyone who makes black metal and is not a satanist is a fool. thats where the term black came from! varg is no longer a satanist, but he turns his back on everything he ever claims to be. he is a week minded fool!
I'm NOT disappointed by a movie version of Lords of Chaos. I love Black Metal, and I love movies!!! Hey, "ihategod", you're a little misdirected. Black Metal may indeed appeal to Satanists (myself included!), and many Black Metal artists may claim to be Satanists, but I'm pretty sure in the book Lords of Chaos Varg & others denounce Satanism. And half of the artists that claim to be Satanists are only doing it for the (in)fame(y). But either way, it shouldn't bother anyone. Listen to the music. Either you like it or you don't. Don't be a snob about it!!!!
P.S. ... Source?
LMFO "twilight dude"
i'm already regretting the fact that the $11 i'm spending to see this movie is going towards an actor who's going to invariably fuck up a movie about Mayhem.
I dont dislike Jackson Rathbone at all yet im not a massive burzum fan either, however i respect Varg as a person and i think his values in life and his main morals are not wrong im glad that we have someone to finaly speak to truth of how screwed up everything is. Even though i did enjoy the film Twilight i think that this is absolute crap, not due to the fact that Jackson is playing Varg but just the film in general i think that it goes against Varg and black metal itself.
well this is douchey
BLACK METAL IS NOT FOR THE MASSES!!!! BLACK METAL IS FOR SATANISTS AND SATANISTS ALONE! HENCE THE TERM "BLACK!!!!" THIS IS SO SICKENING AND DISGUSTING!
WHAT A CROCK!!! the whole true norwegian thing is already over hyped! but now all the little sheep will follow along! i see violence in the future!
this is really disappointing, and kind of insulting i think. people who don't get black metal, specifically True Norwegian Black Metal of the early 90's, should just leave it alone. people outside of the scene are constantly trying to explain it as something other than what it was. Varg Vikernes/Burzum is not some novelty for hipsters to talk about over coffee after theyve seen a film by some "cult" japanese director at their local indie theatre. listen to the music, and understand what it was about, what the people were about, read the interviews, and if you don't get it, or can't handle it, then get out. True Norwegian Black Metal is not a novelty. Its not cute. Its not funny. Its not something to be dissected. These dudes were fucking serious. I'm not even going to begin on why its messed up that this kid from Twilight is portraying Varg...Its wrong enough that someone feels they have to make a movie about this.
Since Varg tried to break out of prison, I think that what you heard was just a rumor. As a huge black metal fan, this news is so disappointing. It's kind of silly that this story has been told 100 million times the same was, and this movie is going to be the same, with a higher budget. If you'd like a better insight into black metal, read Lords of Chaos, the book this movie is based on, or True Norwegian Black Metal. I wish this news was about the USBM band Twilight and not about the silly movie.
What I had heard about this whole Burzum, Mayhem murder was that Varg was trying his hardest to stay in prison because he knew that Mayhem members or die hard Mayhem fans would kill him. Sooo, my first thought is, that I would think Varg would be more worried about Mayhem getting even, than by the absurd casting decision. And being Norwegian I am very dissapointed in a non Norwegian main character, we are better than extras!!!!!!
Not a black metal fan, but all the background history and personalities of these bands have always fascinated me beyond almost anything. So this should be an interesting movie...I dont know how I feel about Jackson playing Varg though....
He better have an armed guard during the filming. Varg isn't known for his open-mindedness.
HAHAHA Amazing. Can't wait to see if the boy actually has any acting ability. If this makes it to theaters, you can expect to see me at the front of the line. Rob Pattinson's gay in his new film, and now this kid is a chruch burning, Nazi metalhead. Can anyone appreciate the irony?
IDK what or where he is hes a sex austin boy ..woooow now hes gonna be a scary black death metal guy WOOOW>.< i cant wait to see that he goes from sparkely to weird to death metal ..cooool
Jasper IS dreamy, but black metal is too scary for me.
All I can think of is Jackson is when he was on Disney Channel. I'm kind of excited. <3 Jackson.
Speaking of 100 monkeys...they are playing at The Chameleon Club in Lancaster Pa on Sunday June 21st...if you live in the area and would like to have Jackson rock your face off...come hang out! should be a blast! i also hear a local band, The Riot, will be playing with them as well. They have quite the buzz going on in the area! check 'em out! www.myspace.com/theriotpa
I don't think the issue has anything to do with his role in Twilight. I think it has more to do with THIS: http://www.myspace.com/these100monkeys That's his band. No, really, check it out. Self described as "Japanese Classic Music/Two Step/Psychobilly." I'm more metal than that. Maybe I should play Varg?
...I don't even know how to feel about this. I'm so confused.
Who let the Varg out! (Woof Woof Woof Woof!)
If this movie makes black metal mainstream, I will be so pissed. I will go see it though. I find it amusing that Twilight is such a Christian based movie, and this movie will have burning churches. At least I can see how this actor really works without hearing a bunch of screaming 13 year old girls. I bet they will still go to this movie just for him. I hope they cry when they see what it is about.
This is ridiculous.
Oh, I read this at work and I'm surprised I didn't scare people off with my giggles. This is HILARIOUS! A twilight (one of the worst vampire movies ever...) star is going to portray this? I can't wait to see what happens.
i love jackson rathbone
dude's a dead man walking
haha this article is amazing, I just don't even know what to say about this news. Isn't this actor afraid of being brutally murdered? I would be! Black Metal fans are serious about this sort of thing, this story is their mythology and you know some of them out there will be pissed about the association with an actor who is a teen heart thob on a very mainstream level. Oh well, only time will tell what will come of this!
I am excited! Hopefully it won't be horrible.... just pretend twilight never existed and we live in a happy place :)
Whoever thinks this is even slightly good or exiciting news, is wrong on a number of different levels. It's insulting that one of the biggest wimps on the planet is going to portray a slendidly egotistical genius/legend. Furthermore, once the movie is released, we are going to see an onslaught of morons coming out of the woodwork claiming to have been diehard followers for years...When if fact, they begged their mom to order them a Burzum shirt on Ebay only after she chose it to make sure it was acceptable by their suburban upper-middleclass private school.
this should have an interesting turn out...it'll either really suck and make this actor suck harder, or it'll be really good and redeem him from Twilight...but it'll probably really suck...I'd like to meet the casting director for this film though...
I know a lot of movie theaters that will get burned down now!
this is bullshit and everyone knows it. i know that i'm not the biggest black metal fan on here and i'm pissed off. i think i'm mostly pissed because now there's a connection between twilight and some of my favorite stories in black metal history. hopefully varg kills him before the movie comes out... hahah.
this is going to be good as long as they do it right and hopefully "jasper" pulls it off
This sounds like a great film, but it's going to be hard to picture the guy who played as shy little Jasper as playing Varg. But he's a pretty decent actor. I'm sure he can pull it off.
wow....jasper, sokka, and now varg.
Really?? Really?? Seriously?? In my opinion and this is just me, I don't think he can pull it off. Those are some pretty big and sadistic shoes sparkle boy has to fill. But then again, I also said that Heath Ledger COULDN'T AND WOULDN'T be a better Joker. And I stood corrected after watching the Darknight.So really, if a gay cowboy can pull off being the most sadistic man in comic history, maybe, just maybe Rathbone can pull this off. Then he would have to change his name to Wraithbone....hahhahhahhah
WTBlackwell - your last comment made me Lol. In doing research for the piece yesterday I was a bit worried too but the director seems pretty legit - he's famous for cult horror films in Japan that seem pretty grisly. I think it's just a matter of how good the writers are and the budget. Have you read Varg's entry on his site of how he killed Eurnoymous and ate pizza after? Gnarrrrrly.
OK - I nearly shat myself when I saw this, for two reasons. 1) They are actually making a movie based on Lords of Chaos and 2) that this dweeb was playing Varg. As a rabid black metal fan I have read Lords of Chaos at least 3 times, both the original and the re-released edition with the bonus chapter. But, you know, the little bugger does resemble Varg a great deal........
DrTatiana, i'll have to check it out. Hopefully, he can play the part and the story is well told. I'll keep my fingers crossed, even if Mr. Rathbone looks like some weirdo giving me the "come hither" eyes in a rest stop bathroom. Hahaha...
WTBlackwell, I felt the same way until I looked at pix of Varg the past 6 years. When he cleaned up in prison he looked quite the school boy. Lurk his site for photos.
I can't see the Black Metal community taking kindly to one of their most storied brethren being played by Jasper. Look at the contrast between the two pictures above. Mr. Rathbone looks like he needs a stiff drink and a swift backhand across the face to knock him back into reality. And if he doesn't get that, it looks like Varg is going to smash his psuedo-vampire dome open with that spiked club...