Cool as Ice is a 1991 American musical romance film directed by David Kellogg and starring rapper Vanilla Ice in his feature film debut. The film focuses on the character of Johnny, a freewheeling, motorcycle-riding rapper who arrives in a small town and meets Kathy, an honor student who catches his eye. Meanwhile, Kathy's father, who is in witness protection, is found by the corrupt police officers he escaped from years ago. The film was developed as a vehicle for Vanilla Ice, and was commercially and critically unsuccessful. Johnny Van Owen (Vanilla Ice), the rebellious rapping leader of a motorcycle gang, falls in love with a small-town girl (Kristen Minter) and finds out that while her family is involved in the Witness Protection Program, they are being pursued by corrupt cops. Filming began in April 1991. The role of Kathy was offered to future Academy Award winner for Best Actress Gwyneth Paltrow. Her father Bruce Paltrow forbade her from accepting it, due to the script's sexual content. The Director of Photography of the film was future Schindler's List and Minority Report cinematographer Janusz Kamiński. The film's soundtrack album contained four new songs by Vanilla Ice,