Fans of the Dave Matthews Band — and especially, fans of Matthews' more intimate acoustic shows with guitarist Tim Reynolds — are familiar with the irreverent frontman's fondness for assuming bizarre accents and impersonating a dizzying array of strange characters. Now, Matthews may soon be testing those talents in front of movie cameras. The singer — whose leading-man work on the film adaptation of the Wilson Rawls children's book "Where the Red Fern Grows" ground to a disappointing halt after the project ran out of funds early last year — is considering a role as a bad guy in the upcoming film "24 Hours," co-starring Charlize Theron and Courtney Love.
The film's co-executive producer is Glen Ballard, who just produced DMB's upcoming album Everyday, due February 27. Ballard told MTV News on Tuesday (January 23) that the film, based on the novel by Greg Iles, is a "thriller with a kidnapping element." He also said Matthews is mulling over the script, which would cast him as "one of the masterminds" of the kidnapping — not so much a villain as a "sweet enforcer." Ballard said word of mouth on Matthews' work in "Red Fern" is strong. "Several people have seen some of the reels from that picture and said he's incredible," Ballard said. "He acts with me every day, and he can play any character you give him." The film will be directed by Luis Mandoki ("Message in a Bottle," "White Palace"), who most recently directed Jennifer Lopez in the upcoming police thriller "Angel Eyes." Theron will play the mother of a kidnapped child, while Love is set for a role as one of the kidnappers.
In addition to considering an acting role in "24 Hours," Matthews and his bandmates have recorded a new song for the movie's soundtrack. Ballard — best known for producing Alanis Morissette and No Doubt — produced the 1999 film "Clubland," directed by Mary Lambert.
Newlywed Matthews (who married longtime girlfriend Ashley Harper in a family-only ceremony at his mother's house near Charlottesville, Virginia, in August) and his bandmates — Boyd Tinsley, Carter Beauford, Leroi Moore and Stefan Lessard — will also be the subject of an hour-long special with talk-show host Charlie Rose to air on PBS in February, close to the release of Everyday. |
