Herek and Bialy knew it was crucial that they find the right combination of actors and musicians to create credible rock gods whom audiences would deem worthy of Chris's devotion. The filmmakers tapped drummer Jason Bonham, son of the late Led Zeppelin drummer John Bonham, to play Steel Dragon's hard-partying drummer A.C., and drafted Dokken guitarist Jeff Pilson to play bassist Jorgen. Actor Jason Flemyng was cast as Bobby Beers, Steel Dragon's lead singer whose abrupt departure from the band sets the stage for Chris's transformation; actor Dominic West is Kirk Cuddy, the Steel Dragon guitarist whose surprise call to Chris at home in Pennsylvania changes his life forever.
Guitar virtuoso Zakk Wylde, formerly of Ozzy Osbourne's band and presently lead guitarist for Black Label Society, plays Ghode, Steel Dragon's resident guitar wizard. Wylde enjoyed his first experience as an actor. "My character in the movie was this guy who likes drinking beer and pretty much doesn't like anybody in the band and just likes shooting guns," Wylde says. "As far as I'm concerned, I got the coolest character in the movie."
Third Eye Blind lead singer/songwriter Stephan Jenkins was drafted to play Bradley, lead singer for rival Steel Dragon tribute band Black Babylon. A parking lot stand-off after a concert finds Chris and Bradley engaging in a war of words, fists and flying hair as they heatedly debate Steel Dragon trivia.
"It's very Shakespearean, actually," Jenkins says, laughing. "Sort of 'Romeo and Juliet'— Mark is Romeo and I'm Tybalt — with a little 'West Side Story' and a touch of 'Spinal Tap' thrown in."
"I have to say, as actors and performers, these musicians really rose to the occasion," enthuses Herek. "They didn't just play a version of themselves, they created full-blown characters. The credibility which they lend to the world of our film can only help draw the audience into the movie."
Timothy Spall portrays Mats, Steel Dragon's longtime road manager, who counsels Chris on the wild lifestyle that he experiences. "Mats is one of those guys that exist behind the scenes in the rock and roll world. They're the ones who sustain it, but you never see them," says Spall of his character. "He's a master at being indispensable, not only as the band's road manager, but as their 'entertainment officer,' if you will."
Rounding out the film's rock and roll universe are Dagmara as Tania, Steel Dragon's sultry P.R. rep, whose smoldering welcome wagon for Chris ignites during a post-concert soiree; and Rachel Hunter as the designer-clad spouse of Steel Dragon drummer A.C., who gives Emily some unsettling advice about living on the road with a rock star.
"The mix of performers was exceptional. We had a talented group of people who all liked each other, and fed off each other," recalls Budd Can. "Each of the actors felt like they were being protected by the musicians around them, and the musicians felt they could count on the actors to watch their backs as well."
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