Rock Star is a 2001 movie starring Mark Wahlberg and directed by Stephen Herek. The film also stars Jennifer Aniston. It was shot almost entirely in and around Los Angeles, but takes place in Pittsburgh.

The movie depicts, approximately, the life of an '80s heavy metal band, with the highs and lows of fame, drugs, rock and roll, and groupies. The band depicted in the movie, Steel Dragon, is fictional.

The film was inspired by the real-life story of Tim 'Ripper' Owens, singer in a Judas Priest tribute band who was chosen to replace singer Rob Halford when he left the band. The original title of the movie was to be Metal God, similar to signature Judas Priest song "Metal Gods".

This is the executive producer debut of George Clooney, Wahlberg's co-star from Three Kings and The Perfect Storm.

The band members are portrayed by ex-Dokken bassist Jeff Pilson, Black Label Society and Ozzy Osbourne guitarist Zakk Wylde (Also, Zakk's rhythm guitarist Nick Catanese plays the lead guitarist in Chris' tribute band Blood Pollution), actor and guitarist Dominic West, and current Foreigner drummer and son of Led Zeppelin drummer John Bonham, Jason Bonham. Also Myles Kennedy, from Alter Bridge fame, makes an appearance as 'Thor' in the movie. Also, the singing voice for Mark Wahlberg's character was former Steelheart frontman Miljenko Matijevic. Jeff Scott Soto (of Talisman, Yngwie Malmsteen, Soul Sirkus, Journey) provided the voice of the fictional band's original singer whom Wahlberg's character replaces.

The band Blood Pollution is also comprised of known musical artists, including the aforementioned guitarist Nick Catanese (Black Label Society), drummer Blas Elias (Slaughter) and bassist Brian Vander Ark, (The Verve Pipe, who also contributed a song to the film's soundtrack). An interesting fact about the casting is that the only member of the two main bands who is not an established musician is Blood Pollution's guitarist Timothy Olyphant.

Tagline: So You Wanna Be a Rock Star? The Story of a Wanna Be, Who Got to Be

Chris Cole was born to rock. His longtime girlfriend Emily believes his talent could take him all the way - but Chris worships at the altar of Bobby Beers, the fiery frontman for heavy metal legends Steel Dragon. By day, Chris still lives at home with his parents and spends his days repairing copy machines. But when Chris takes the stage, fronting Pennsylvania's premiere Steel Dragon tribute band, all of that disappears. Chris Cole is Bobby Beers - mesmerizing audiences with his perfect imitation of Beers' electrifying vocals. The night his bandmates boot him out of the group, Chris is devastated - until an unexpected phone call changes his life forever: He, Chris Cole, has been tapped to replace Bobby Beers as the lead singer of Steel Dragon. In an instant, Chris rockets to the dizzying heights of sudden stardom, rising from devotee to icon, from rock fan to rock god - the wanna-be who got to be. So what happens when an average guy gets everything he wants - and discovers it's not enough? Written by Sujit R. Varma

Rock Star is based on Tim "Ripper" Owens, who initially was in a Judas Priest cover band. He then left to join the real Judas Priest. Written by Gene Zebroski

ROCK STAR: Shot by famed cinematographer, Jim Fealy ("Chop Suey", "Doom Generation") at fashion photographer Steven Klein's studio, ROCK STAR features Theo (of all-girl punk band Lunachicks) as Heaven Scent, an agorophobic rock star preparing for a big show at Madison Square Garden as a calvacade of transsexuals, punk rockers on motorbikes, rival musicians, and a bitchy dominatrix and her Russian muscle slave, drop by her loft. Including rockers Miss Guy (of Toilet Boys); Chloe Dzubilo and Gyda Gash (of Transsisters); Gina, Squid, and Chip (of Lunachicks); Jonny Cragg (of Spacehog); with actor Michael Cavadias ( "Wonder Boys"), James Chinlund (CK1 and CK Jeans model / Set designer) and painter Walt Paper as the spirit of Klaus Nomi. It also features hair and make-up by Clyde Haygood, and styling by Victoria Bartlett. Written by Anonymous