Confirmed! Russell Brand Will Duet With Alec Baldwin in Rock of Ages Film
After months of speculation, funnyman Russell Brand has officially signed on to play the role of Lonny in the upcoming film adaptation of '80s tuner Rock of Ages, according to Deadline.com.
In addition to serving as the film’s narrator, Brand’s character is an employee at the rock club The Bourbon Room and right-hand man to club owner Dennis Dupree, to be played by 30 Rock star Alec Baldwin. The two will duet on the REO Speedwagon hit “I Can’t Fight This Feeling.”
The film's starry cast also includes the previously reported Tom Cruise as Stacee Jaxx, Julianne Hough as Kansas-transplant Sherrie, Mary J. Blige as strip club owner Justice, Paul Giamatti as manager of Stacee’s band and newcomer Diego Gonzalez Boneta in the lead role of Drew. No confirmation yet on the involvement of Brand’s pop star wife Katy Perry, who may join him on screen playing a sexy barmaid and exotic dancer.
Officially not joining the cast, also according to Deadline, is Oscar nominee Amy Adams, who recently landed the plum role of Lois Lane in Superman film Man of Steel. Adams was rumored to be looking into the role of an overzealous journalist who duets and then beds down with Tom Cruise's rock star character, a role previously considered by Anne Hathaway.
Rock of Ages is set in 1987 on the Sunset Strip, where small town girl Sherrie meets a big city rocker at the Bourbon Room, L.A.’s most famous rock club. Their love story is told through the hits of Journey, Bon Jovi, Styx, Pat Benatar, Foreigner, Twisted Sister, Asia, Whitesnake and many more. The Broadway musical, which is now running at the Helen Hayes Theatre, received five Tony nominations (including Best Musical) after opening on April 7, 2009.
The film, directed by Hairspray helmer Adam Shankman, will have a script by librettist Chris D’Arienzo has reportedly gotten a rewrite from Michael Arndt, who penned Little Miss Sunshine. The movie is expected to begin filming in Florida on May 19, and will hit movie theaters on June 1, 2012.
