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James Hetfield to star in dark western film alongside Peter Dinklage and Juliette Lewis

As if he wasn’t busy enough with the new Metallica album.

James Hetfield performs onstage for Metallica's The Helping Hands Concert 2022

Image: Jeff Kravitz/Getty

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Metallica frontman James Hetfield is set to put his acting skills to the test with a new role in upcoming film, The Thicket.

So far, 2023 is proving to be a busy year for James Hetfield. Not only has the guitarist just released the third single from Metallica’s upcoming album, but he is also set to return to the silver screen alongside some huge Hollywood names.

According to Deadline, the thrash musician will star in a new dark western, produced by Game of Thrones actor Peter Dinklage.

Entitled The Thicket, the cast features names including Natural Born Killers leading lady Juliette Lewis, Hanna star Esmé Creed-Miles and Peaky Blinders’ Ned Dennehy.

The film is based on Joe R. Lansdale’s popular 2013 novel of the same name, and Peter Dinklage has been tied to the upcoming project for close to a decade now.

Although Hetfield’s exact role has not yet been confirmed, Deadline summarises that the plot will follow the protagonist, Jack, who goes to rescue his sister after she is kidnapped by a violent killer. To pursue the mission, Jack enlists the help of some questionable characters, including a bounty hunter, a grave digger and a prostitute.

This isn’t the first time that the Metallica member has tried his hand at acting. Back in 2019, he starred alongside Zac Efron as Officer Bob Hayward in Extremely Wicked, Shockingly Evil and Vile – a film about serial killer Ted Bundy.

In addition, the musician has also made a number of cameos as himself. These include appearances in The Simpsons, alongside his bandmates, and in the drama series Billions, which stars Damian Lewis.

Created for the streaming service Tubi, The Thicket is currently still in its principal photography stages. Further details will be announced at a later date.

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