Adam Shankman has tweeted that he got Russell Brand to play Lonny in the New Line musical Rock of Ages. But Shankman’s pursuit of Amy Adams didn’t work out. He wanted her to play the role of the journalist who duets and then beds down with Tom Cruise’s decadent rock star character Stacee Jaxx, but Adams’ schedule was complicated by landing the Lois Lane role in the Superman film Man of Steel. Shankman’s still looking.
Brand’s casting was first disclosed by Deadline on Jan. 20. He’ll play Lonny, who runs the ’80s rock club The Bourbon for owner Dennis (Alec Baldwin). Brand and Baldwin get to sing a rousing version of the REO Speedwagon tune Can’t Fight This Feeling. Brand previously worked with Shankman in Bedtime Stories. Rock of Ages stars Diego Gonzalez Boneta, Julianne Hough, Cruise, Baldwin, Mary J. Blige and Paul Giamatti. Pretty good cast for an ’80s homage that started off-Broadway and then caught on when it moved to Broadway. Brand just opened in Hop and Arthur.
Yeah , so glad Amy isn’t doing this. She was too talented for this mess
Yup, your Mr Snyder waiting for Adams. ;-)
Aw, No Adams. :(
SO that makes Gwyneth Paltrow, Anne Hathaway, and Amy Adams three actress that had to pass on the role.
I think he should go with his old buddy, Michelle Pfiefer.
Emmy Rossum or Scarlett Johansson or JLo
I don’t think Rossum is a big enough name. Scarlett Johansson would be great, but I think she’s filming The Avengers.
Maybe JLo since she’s worked with Shankman before, and is pretty hot right now.
Please, JLO & Scarlett Johansson wish they have singing talent. One of the main problems with most of these film musicals, Hollywood bigwigs continue to hire A-list actors that cannot sing ( example, ‘ Nine’, ‘Moulin Rouge’, and now ‘ Rock of Ages ‘ ) I truly hope Director Tom Hooper casts wisely with his film adaptation of ‘ Les Miserables ‘ .
I’ve always wanted to see Tom Cruise do a movie with Julia Roberts and one with Tom Hanks.
Also, he needs to do more dramas rather than just doing huge action blockbusters and unfortunately, his next movie is yet another one of those (M:I: IV). He is an underrated actor. So, I hope that he does more dramas, tries to reach his full potential as an actor and tries to win an Oscar.
I think the relevancy of a Cruise-Roberts-Hanks triple billing went out back in 1995.
I can’t stand Tom Cruise, but when I saw him in Magnolia I was blown away !!!! I still do not care for him, but he was AMAZING in Magnolia !! Also, the thought of him in the same film as Russell cracks me up !! Russell is quite simply WONDERFUL !!!!!! I LOVE LOVE LOVE him ! He really is soooooo charming and is a natural at everything he does !!!!
Maybe they’re all beginning to realize that Russell Brand can’t act.
Brand’s casting = must see on cable.
So it was a choice between making out with Tom Cruise or making out with Henry Cavill? Cavill, definitely. Good call Amy!
No, no, no. This will not work.
I’m keeping my fingers crossed that this is an elaborate 30 Rock gag.
“I think he should go with his old buddy, Michelle Pfiefer.”
Michelle is getting ready to start filming “Dark Shadows,” so she probably isn’t available.
Paging Zooey Deschanel…
Again with Brand. Where will it end?
This should be called ‘Mom Rock of Ages’. REO Speedwagon? Poison? No wonder rock is dead.
Deschanel, will prob get the nod. Or–interesting idea: Janelle Monae. Can rock beyond reality, but is trained in musical theatre…Would love this!
Great cast,especially Tom Cruise
I think this production will be great. Get an unknown, someone who doesn’t come with baggage and memories of other parts! I just watched Russell Brand in Arthur (yes, I saw the original with Dudley Moore. That was a classic. Brand however put his own unique spin on it and is now forever in my mind a classic. He is unique, doesn’t fit into the cookie cutter mold many out there seem to crave. I myself, am so grateful there is a Russell Brand to show unique is funny, sexy & important.