“You’re going down [Heather],” Lance Bass joked earlier this month about his first feature film, “On the Line,” making more money when it opens October 26 than Heather Graham’s “From Hell,” which is scheduled for release the week prior. “Nah, I’m so new to this, I don’t know who’s opening up against us in the week so I don’t know what good numbers are, what bad numbers are. As long as people go see it and enjoy it that’s all I care about.”
In the movie, Bass stars as Kevin Gibbons, a guy who’s too shy to ask for the phone number of a girl he meets on the Chicago L train. After a little nudging by his friends, one of them played by Bass’ ‘NSYNC groupmate Joey Fatone, he combs the city for her.
“I was a little nervous at first. Coming from the music world into the acting world is something I’ve always been interested in but haven’t tackled yet,” Bass said. “It was cool because I got to produce [the movie] also, so I knew everyone on the set. The cast was amazing. That’s who really helped me out. It’s all about who you’re playing off of.”
Bass, who has an eye-blink-brief cameo in “Zoolander,” said that since he now has the acting bug, he’ll have to balance his ‘NSYNC obligations with his Hollywood endeavors. The two worked hand in hand for the soundtrack to “On the Line,” which was released on October 16. Bass called on a few of his friends to participate.
Rodney Jerkins used his sugary, space-age strings and chimes to mold the beat for Britney Spears’ “Let Me Be.” On the track, pop’s Queen B sings about the misperceptions people have about her strengths and insecurities.
Al Green, who pops up in a scene with Bass in the film, puts a disco spin on his classic “Let’s Stay Together,” and Blaque contribute the ballad “Can’t Trust Myself.” Meanwhile, Vitamin C plays off of her moniker with the rock guitar and violin-laden “Do You C What I C?”
It’s no surprise that Bass also included his group on the soundtrack. The pop princes’ “That Girl (Will Never Be Mine)” follows the movie’s plot about being too scared to pursue a love interest. “How can I get next to her?” the quintet harmonizes over their usual uptempo sprinkle of synthesizers and drum taps. “They say it’s no use but I try,” the chorus continues.
Later on the album, Fatone gets his first chance to shine solo with “Ready to Fall,” which sees Fatone in hot pursuit of his dream girl. Backed by slow acoustic guitars, he sings about submitting to love: “Wherever we’re headed I’m ready to go,” he croons. “I can’t promise forever but baby I’ll try.”
At the “On the Line” premiere last Tuesday, Fatone said that, like his friend Lance, he’s ready to do more film work.
“I hope to do [more movies],” he said. “I hope to study and build with my craft.”
One ‘NSYNC member you won’t be seeing on the silver screen anytime soon is JC Chasez.
“I’m more comfortable in the studio,” he said at the premiere. “They’re more into the acting thing.”
Which is not necessarily a good thing, according to one of Bass and Fatone’s co-stars.
“These guys suck at acting,” Gregory Qaiyum joked at the premiere before revealing his true feelings. “These guys are awesome, they blew me away.”
“You’ll be very pleasantly surprised,” added Bass’ leading lady, Emmanuelle Chriqui. “I think the pressure is there for them but they’re performers. They perform in front of thousands of people, they do music videos, they do interviews, they’re in it.”
