Straight off the so-so success of his film Nacho Libre where he played a Mexican friar-turned-wrestler, Jack Black has signed on for the role of Biblical bad guy, King Herod, in a stage reunion of the cast of 1973 movie musical Jesus Christ Superstar.
The original stars of the film, 60-something Ted Neeley as Jesus of Nazareth and Yvonne Elliman as Mary Magdalene, will team up with castmates for the August 13 benefit show in Hollywood. All proceeds benefit Youtheatre America! and the Ricardo Montalban Foundation.
Black will replace Josh Mostel as Herod, while song-and-dance legend Ben Vereen takes on the role of Judas Iscariot, a role that won him a Tony nomination in the Broadway show. Carl Anderson played Judas in Norman Jewison's film version.
A California native, Black began his career with small roles in The Cable Guy, Waterworld and Enemy of the State before a breakthrough role as Barry, the pretentious co-worker to John Cusack's record store owner in High Fidelity. His career soon led to leading roles in films such asSchool of Rockand King Kong.
