James Van Der Beek's final movie gets creepy trailer and his role is like never before
After the tragic passing of actor James Van Der Beek on February 11, his fans got their first look at his final role in the action thriller, 'The Gates.' In the trailer released by Lionsgate Premiere on February 18, Van Der Beek is seen playing a murderous Pastor who targets three young Black men after they accidentally witness him killing a woman. John Burr has written and directed the R-rated thriller, which is set to hit theaters on March 13. Keith Powers, Mason Gooding, Algee Smith, and Brad Leland also appear in supporting roles.
As seen in the trailer, the three friends soon find out that the killer is no ordinary man, but a powerful church leader named Pastor Jacob. “We were just trying to pass through, and we saw something, and now this psycho is after us,” one of the friends says as he pleads for help with a local resident. But the boys come to realize that they are trapped inside the gated community, with the residents turning on them. As Jacob closes in on the trio, he warns the guys that their attempts to run away will be futile, as he says, “You’ve seen what happens when people get in my way." The trailer also hints at Jacob's secret life when he states ominously, “I have been called upon to lead this community, and those boys seek to destroy us.”
The trailer comes a week after Van Der Beek's death, following a hard-fought battle with colorectal cancer at age 48. As condolences poured in, Burr reflected on working with the actor on the set of the film. In his statement to Deadline, he said, in part, “We were incredibly fortunate to have worked with him on this film. He brought experience and perspective to the role, and he built profound relationships with his fellow cast members and with the crew. And while he was deeply dedicated to his performance as the flawed, amoral antagonist of our story, between scenes he effortlessly morphed back into the grounded, charming conversationalist he was at his core.”
Van Der Beek's co-star, Mason Gooding, who plays Derek in the film, also shared a few words on social media after the actor's death. He recalled, "it's about "them." yes. I think It's always about them. Whatever that means to you, it's about family. Beyond the work, beyond the art; which is wonderful. it's about them. It's always been about them. - James on set over lunch." The caption was accompanied by some behind-the-scenes glimpses of the cast on set.
