Baudib
02-23-2002, 02:14 PM
Associated Press
PORT CHARLOTTE, Fla. -- John Rocker will be flinging bodies instead of baseballs when he makes his big-screen debut as a homicidal maniac.
The controversial Texas Rangers reliever is playing a slasher-killer in movie called "The Greenskeeper," Rangers spokesman John Blake confirmed Saturday.
The film, produced by Atlanta-based Ghost Man on Third Productions, was shot in October in Senoia and other golf courses in Georgia.
It follows a 20-year-old assistant greenskeeper who gathers friends for a country club birthday party, according to the movie's Web site. A killer dressed as a greenskeeper and armed with golf course tools crashes the party and disposes of naughty teens.
"It's par for the corpse," is the hook line on the Web site.
Kevin Greene, one of the film's producers, said they called Rocker after a friend of a friend mentioned he knew the pitcher. Rocker was initially surprised by the offer but became the consummate professional, Greene said, showing up on time and knowing all his lines.
"He has a crazy persona and the character needed a wild streak," Greene said.
Rocker's remarks on racial, ethnic and sexual minorities in a magazine article led to his suspension for two weeks in 2000.
Blake said the Rangers have no problem with Rocker's role in the movie.
"I don't think there's a lot of concern," he said.
Filmmakers are planning a May premier in Atlanta and are looking for national distributors to avoid the straight-to-video route.
Besides Rocker, the Web site lists other stars as Atlanta radio personality Steve Rickman and "Playboy" model Christi Taylor.
PORT CHARLOTTE, Fla. -- John Rocker will be flinging bodies instead of baseballs when he makes his big-screen debut as a homicidal maniac.
The controversial Texas Rangers reliever is playing a slasher-killer in movie called "The Greenskeeper," Rangers spokesman John Blake confirmed Saturday.
The film, produced by Atlanta-based Ghost Man on Third Productions, was shot in October in Senoia and other golf courses in Georgia.
It follows a 20-year-old assistant greenskeeper who gathers friends for a country club birthday party, according to the movie's Web site. A killer dressed as a greenskeeper and armed with golf course tools crashes the party and disposes of naughty teens.
"It's par for the corpse," is the hook line on the Web site.
Kevin Greene, one of the film's producers, said they called Rocker after a friend of a friend mentioned he knew the pitcher. Rocker was initially surprised by the offer but became the consummate professional, Greene said, showing up on time and knowing all his lines.
"He has a crazy persona and the character needed a wild streak," Greene said.
Rocker's remarks on racial, ethnic and sexual minorities in a magazine article led to his suspension for two weeks in 2000.
Blake said the Rangers have no problem with Rocker's role in the movie.
"I don't think there's a lot of concern," he said.
Filmmakers are planning a May premier in Atlanta and are looking for national distributors to avoid the straight-to-video route.
Besides Rocker, the Web site lists other stars as Atlanta radio personality Steve Rickman and "Playboy" model Christi Taylor.