On the surface, it has to be said that the film version of Broadway musical Rock Of Ages sounds a bit like a car crash waiting to happen, but the more it goes forward, the more it begins to seem like a car crash that could be a lot of fun (if there is such a thing), where everyone walks away without a scratch.
Now comes the news, courtesy of Deadline, that Russell Brand is circling the role of Lonnie, who runs the ’80s rock club The Bourbon for owner Dennis (the role that Alec Baldwin is circling). In case you don’t know, the musical will be surfing the Mamma Mia! wave, as rather than featuring original music, it takes 80s rock anthems by the likes of Journey, Twisted Sister, Joan Jett and Bon Jovi, and uses them to tell the story of two people who meet and fall in love at a nightclub, while also trying to save the sex, drugs and rock ‘n’ roll club from destruction, and working out how they can follow their dreams.
If that didn’t sounds strange enough to begin with (a sort of hair metal Glee), the whole shebang got a little more peculiar when it was revealed a few months ago that Tom Cruise was circling the role of rocker Stacee Jaxx. He’s expected to sign on, which would see him singing Bon Jovi’s Wanted Dead Or Alive on screen. The likes of Mary J Blige and Gwyneth Paltrow have also been offered roles, and now it seems Russell Brand might join them. If he does, we should get the unexpected sight of Brand and Alec Baldwin giving a rousing rendition of REO Speedwagon’s ‘I Can’t Fight This Feeling’.
Like I said, it’s a bizarre car crash, but one I’d bet a lot of people would pay good money to gawp at.
Adam Shankman (Hairspray) will direct, with shooting hopefully starting in May.