Is ‘Rocketeer’ His Rocket to Stardom?

Bill Who ?

That was the question on a lot of minds when Bill Campbell was announced as the star of Disney’s “The Rocketeer.” Based on the popular comic book character who fights for justice, donning a streamlined helmet and strapping a rocket pack to his back, it’s due next summer.

A former commercial art student who considered becoming a comic book artist, Campbell, 31, came to town six years ago after working in Chicago theater.

He’s since appeared on a spate of TV shows, including “Dynasty,” playing the boyfriend of Steven Carrington during the 1984-85 season; and a crew-cut, gum-chewing young cop on NBC’s “Crime Story.”

“The Rocketeer” is the first feature film role for the boyish, 6-foot-4, 205-pound actor.

“One of the appealing things about him is that he’s a regular guy,” Campbell says of the character. “He wears aviator-type clothes--you know, boots and leather jacket. And he’s propelled through the air by something that is technically possible.

“He’s not so much a fantasy figure as he is an adventurer.”

Directed by Joe Johnston (“Honey, I Shrunk the Kids”), the film is currently in its second week of shooting near Valencia. Alan Arkin, Jennifer Connelly and Timothy Dalton co-star.

Campbell spoke to us between takes, “beating up bad guys--you know, delivering knuckle sandwiches.” But he doesn’t plan on doing his own “flying.”

“Since the Rocketeer wears a helmet, I think there’s going to be a stunt man. I have no desire to hang from wires.”

A sequel to “The Rocketeer” is a possibility, but Campbell isn’t worried about being typecast at this point. “I’m just happy to be working in a movie,” he says.