Metallica frontman James Hetfield has been cast in an upcoming feature film about notorious serial killer Ted Bundy. Hetfield, in his first onscreen acting role playing someone other than himself, will play the Utah police officer who arrested Bundy in 1975. Who's playing Bundy? None other than Zac Efron. The film, titled Extremely Wicked, Shocking Evil and Vile, is currently in production.

Hetfield was approached by director Joe Berlinger, who directed the Metallica documentary Some Kind of Monster. "Having spent hundreds of hours behind the scenes with James and the rest of Metallica, I have experienced his charisma and powerful presence close up," says Berlinger. "It seemed only natural that he would bring that same power and magnetism to a dramatic role." (Rolling Stone)

Parkinson's diagnosis sidelines Judas Priest guitarist

Guitarist Glenn Tipton, a member of Judas Priest since 1974, has announced that he will no longer be touring with the band. Diagnosed with Parkinson's disease ten years ago, Tipton now has difficulty playing the band's most challenging material.

"I want everyone to know that it's vital that the Judas Priest tour go ahead and that I am not leaving the band — it's simply that my role has changed," said Tipton, 70, in a statement. "I don't rule out the chance to go on stage as and when I feel able to blast out some Priest!" (Consequence of Sound)

Sexual battery investigation of Seal dropped

Los Angeles authorities have dropped an investigation into allegations of sexual battery against Seal. Actor Tracey Birdsall says the singer forcibly groped and kissed her in 2016, but the L.A. County district attorney has ceased a criminal investigation, reportedly due to a lack of witnesses. (Pitchfork)

Is Sir Elton playing the royal wedding?

Elton John has rescheduled a run of shows in Las Vegas during the weekend of May 19, citing a "scheduling conflict." Now, what could possibly be Sir Elton's conflict on those dates? Maybe, just maybe, it has a little something to do with the wedding of Prince Harry and Meghan Markle, which is taking place on that date. (Billboard)

Bat for Lashes releases short film

Natasha Khan (Bat for Lashes) has released a three-minute film that she wrote and directed, her second such endeavor. Light Beings stars Margaret Qualley as a young woman who has an unexpected encounter with a mysteriously luminous figure. Khan collaborated with Bobby Krlic of the Haxan Cloak on the film's score. (Rolling Stone)