Adam Shankman

Warner Bros. Puts ARTHUR & LANCELOT on Hold; Pushes JACK THE GIANT KILLER 3D Back to 2013

by Dave Trumbore    Posted: January 19th, 2012 at 7:24 pm

Not long after Warner Bros. was reportedly getting cold feet with the swelling budget of David Dobkin’s Arthur & Lancelot, it looks like the studio has officially hit the pause button. The film, starring Kit Herington (Game of Thrones) and Joel Kinnaman (The Darkest Hour) in a reimagined Arthurian legend, was supposed to open March 15, 2013. Dobkin (The Wedding Crashers) reportedly informed cast and crew that it “wasn’t looking good,” although studio insiders confirm they’re trying to make the project work. Warner envisions the tone of Arthur & Lancelot to be in a similar vein to their Sherlock Holmes franchise, but will have to negotiate budget and scheduling difficulties. Herington, will return to Game of Thrones this spring while Kinnaman is expected to segue into the film shoot after wrapping on AMC’s The Killing. The project may move forward without one or both of the actors. Hit the jump for news regarding the delay of Bryan Singer’s Jack the Giant Killer 3D and Rock of Ages.

New Images and Official Synopses for PROJECT X, BULLET TO THE HEAD, ROCK OF AGES and THE APPARITION

by Steve 'Frosty' Weintraub    Posted: December 25th, 2011 at 12:52 pm

Warner Bros. has released new images and official synopses for director Nima Nourizadeh‘s Project X, Walter Hill‘s Bullet to the Head, Adam Shankman‘s Rock of Ages, and Todd Lincoln‘s The Apparition.  While we’ve already seen an extremely funny trailer for Project X (which was produced by Todd Phillips) and a mediocre first trailer for Rock of Ages, WB has yet to release any footage from Bullet to the Head (which stars a shirtless Sylvester Stallone) and The Apparition (which was originally scheduled for release last year).  With these first images being released, I’d imagine we’ll be getting the first trailers very soon.  As a big fan of Walter Hill (48 Hours, Brewster’s Millions, The Warriors, The Driver), I’m really hoping Bullet to the Head is awesome.  Hit the jump for more.

Adam Shankman to Direct THE NUTCRACKER

by Adam Chitwood    Posted: November 30th, 2011 at 3:16 pm

New Line Cinema’s new iteration of The Nutcracker now has a director. Deadline reports that Adam Shankman (Hairspray) has signed on to the project. Scripted by Darren Lemke (Jack the Giant Killer), the film goes back to the original 1815 book The Nutcracker and the Mouse King by E.T.A. Hoffman and centers on a young girl who is taken on an adventure by her now animated wooden toy soldier. The tone is said to be in the vein of Alice in Wonderland (as is every fantasty/adventure movie in development these days), as it’s a drama with action and a love story. The project is reportedly shaping up to be Shankman’s next film, and New Line is aiming for a holiday 2013 release.

While Shankman’s resume is hit and miss, his musical work is pretty impressive and he should bring a fun version of the classic story to life. Universal also has a version of The Nutcracker in the works with Rise of the Planet of the Apes producers John Mann and Jon Gunn onboard. Shankman recently wrapped the 80’s-centered musical Rock of Ages with Tom Cruise and Julianne Hough.

Steve Martin and Alec Baldwin Reteam with Adam Shankman for Untitled Comedy

by Matt Goldberg    Posted: October 4th, 2011 at 11:50 am

In 2010, Steve Martin and Alec Baldwin teamed up to host the Oscars with director Adam Shankman (Hairspray) producing the telecast.  While the involvment of Shankman and Martin’s disappointing streak of movies caused me some concern, the show turned out to be highly entertaining.  Martin and Baldwin shared a few scenes in It’s Complicated but their chemistry really popped on stage, and now Deadline reports that the actors will re-team with Shankman for an untitled comedy project.  Deadline says the status of the project is still in its early stages—no signed deals, no writer attached—but that the “comedy that has a bit of Trading Places meets Grumpy Old Men.”  With Martin and Baldwin attached, that premise sounds moderately intriguing.

Both actors have worked separately with Shankman in his capacity as a film director.  Martin previously starred in Shankman’s Cheaper by the Dozen 2, and Baldwin co-stars in the upcoming musical Rock of Ages.

First Image of Catherine Zeta-Jones in ROCK OF AGES

by Matt Goldberg    Posted: July 15th, 2011 at 7:59 am

Catherine Zeta-Jones is not only set for a comeback to movies, but she’ll also be returning to musicals with Adam Shankman’s adaptation of Rock of Ages.  Zeta-Jones will be playing the film’s villain, a character Shankman describes as “if Tipper Gore and Anita Bryant had a love child. She is this hardcore, moral majority, arch-conservative who wants to shut down rock’n roll in the great city of Los Angeles.”  Shankman has now tweeted a photo of Zeta-Jones in character and leading the charge to shut down “evil rock stars”.

Hit the jump to check out the image.  The film also stars Tom Cruise, Hough, Russell Brand, Paul Giamatti, Alec Baldwin, Malin Akerman, Bryan Cranston, Will Forte, Mary J. Blige, and Diego Gonzalez Boneta.

First Image of Tom Cruise in ROCK OF AGES

by Jason Barr    Posted: June 17th, 2011 at 1:31 pm

The first image of Tom Cruise in director Adam Shankman’s (Hairspray) Rock of Ages adaptation has landed online. Cruise is playing the role of rocker Stacee Jaxx in the pic and, from the looks of this first image, will have no reservations about performing without a shirt. Paul Giamatti, Alec Baldwin, Russell Brand, Malin Akerman, Bryan Cranston, Catherine Zeta-Jones, Mary J. Blige, and Julianne Hough star alongside Cruise in Rock of Ages which hits theaters on June 1st, 2012. Hit the jump to check out the image. Finally, in case you weren’t already aware, Rock of Ages is based on the 2006 musical of the same name and tells the story of a small town girl (Hough) who falls in love with Cruise’s larger-than-life-rocker, Stacee Jaxx, against the backdrop of classic 80s selections from groups such as Journey, Foreigner, Styx, and REO Speedwagon.

New Set Photo from ROCK OF AGES Proves Alec Baldwin Is Still in the Film

by Matt Goldberg    Posted: May 31st, 2011 at 11:56 am

Earlier this month, we reported that Adam Shankman’s musical Rock of Ages had lost Alec Baldwin, and losing Alec Baldwin is sad news for any production.  But cheer up!  It turns out that report was false because Shankman has tweeted a photo from the set showing Baldwin in hippie garb alongside a lollipop-brandishing Russell Brand.  The context of the photo?  Unknown to people like myself who haven’t seen the Broadway musical upon which the movie is based.

Hit the jump to check out the full image.  The film also stars Tom Cruise, Catherine Zeta-Jones, Paul Giamatti, Malin Akerman, Bryan Cranston, Mary J. Blige, Julianne Hough, and newcomer Diego Boneta.  Rock of Ages opens June 1, 2012.

Casting Call: Alec Baldwin Drops out of ROCK OF AGES; Jean Reno Joins I, ALEX CROSS

by Matt Goldberg    Posted: May 10th, 2011 at 2:09 pm

This afternoon we have some casting and some un-casting to report.  In un-casting news, THR reports that Alec Baldwin has dropped out of Adam Shankman’s musical Rock of Ages.  You may recall Baldwin dropped out of Men in Black III to do Rock of Ages back in March.  Baldwin was set to play “Dennis Dupree, the owner of the Bourbon Room, the Sunset Boulevard nightclub at the center of the movie.”  No reason has been given for Baldwin’s departure, although it’s possible there was a scheduling conflict with Woody Allen’s upcoming comedy.  While it’s an unfortunate loss for the project, Rock of Ages isn’t lacking for stars since the cast features Tom Cruise, Catherine Zeta-Jones, Russell Brand, Paul Giamatti, Malin Akerman, Bryan Cranston, Mary J. Blige, Julianne Hough, and newcomer Diego Boneta.  Rock of Ages is set to open on June 1, 2012.

Hit the jump for casting news regarding I, Alex Cross.

Catherine Zeta-Jones to Play Villain in ROCK OF AGES

by Matt Goldberg    Posted: April 20th, 2011 at 11:25 am

Catherine Zeta-Jones scored an Oscar for Best Supporting Actress for her work in 2002′s Chicago and now it looks like she’ll be making a return to the musical genre.  THR reports that Zeta-Jones has joined Adam Shankman’s adaptation of the Broadway musical Rock of Ages.  Zeta-Jones will play the film’s villain, a character who isn’t in the Broadway version, but is described by Shankman as “if Tipper Gore and Anita Bryant had a love child. She is this hardcore, moral majority, arch-conservative who wants to shut down rock’n roll in the great city of Los Angeles.”  Shankman says the character was devised as a way to streamline various storylines.

Zeta-Jones, who has been absent from screens the past several years, is a welcome addition to the cast since she can hit the trifecta of acting, singing, and dancing.  She also recently joined Lay the Favorite starring Bruce Willis and Rebecca Hall, as well as the comedy Playing the Field starring Gerard Butler.  Rock of Ages‘s cast includes an interesting mix of famous faces (Tom Cruise, Mary J. Blige, Alec Baldwin, Paul Giamatti, Russell Brand) as well as up-and-comers Diego Gonzalez Boneta and Julianne Hough.  Hit the jump for a synopsis of Rock of Ages, which is set to open on June 1, 2012.

James Cameron, Guillermo del Toro, Kathryn Bigelow, and Other Directors and Producers Write Open Letter Protesting Premium VOD

by Matt Goldberg    Posted: April 20th, 2011 at 9:58 am

Home Premiere, a Premium VOD service backed by four major studios, is set to launch tomorrow on DirecTV.  The service would charge consumers $30 to watch movies only sixty days after they first hit theaters.  Theaters, fearing that their revenues will be drastically cut, have responded with threats that range from believable to ridiculous.  Now 23 directors and producers, including James Cameron, Michael Bay, Kathryn Bigelow, Guillermo del Toro, Peter Jackson, Michael Mann, and Gore Verbinski have released an open letter siding with the theaters.

In the letter, the signers make the point that just because Premium VOD launches at $30, it doesn’t mean it will stay there and it could conceivably drop to $10 within a few year.  Hit the jump for the full letter.

Mexican Actor/Singer Diego Gonzalez Boneta in Talks to Join ROCK OF AGES

by Adam Chitwood    Posted: March 31st, 2011 at 8:34 pm

It seems like this project is adding a new cast member every day, but Mexican actor and singer Diego Gonzalez Boneta is now in talks to join Adam Shankman’s adaptation of the stage musical Rock of Ages. The Wrap reports that the 20-year-old heartthrob will take on the role of Drew Boley, a guitarist and singer described as “the nicest aspiring rocker you’ll find in the Bourbon Room.” The actor recently came to prominence on ABC Family’s Pretty Little Liars.

The cast for Rock of Ages now includes Tom Cruise, Alec Baldwin, Paul Giamatti, Mary J. Blige and Julianne Hough, with a number of other actors “rumored” “in talks” or “in consideration” to join the project. The film is set to hit theaters June 1^st, 2012.

Paul Giamatti to Manage Tom Cruise in ROCK OF AGES

by Jason Barr    Posted: March 24th, 2011 at 2:37 pm

Following on the coattails of our earlier story that Amy Adams has been offered a role in the film, casting news regarding Adam Shankman’s Rock of Ages continues to swirl as Paul Giamatti has now been confirmed for Warner Bros.’ summer 2012 release. According to Deadline, Giamatti will make a turn as the manager of Stacee Jaxx’s (Tom Cruise) rock band. In addition to Cruise, Giamatti joins a cast that also includes Alec Baldwin, Russell Brand, Julianne Hough, and Mary J. Blige.

For those currently unaware, Rock of Ages is based on a 2006 musical of the same name and follows a couple’s slow fade into love against the musical backdrop of 80s rock favorites such as Foreigner, Styx, Bon Jovi, and Journey. The film is scheduled to begin shooting in Florida on May 19th and carries a newly announced theatrical release date of June 1, 2012. As for Giamatti, the actor recently finished shooting on George Clooney’s The Ides of March, will play everyone’s favorite American economist Ben Bernanke in HBO’s Too Big to Fail, and is also slated to star in David Cronenberg’s Cosmopolis.

Amy Adams Offered Role in ROCK OF AGES

by Matt Goldberg    Posted: March 24th, 2011 at 11:01 am

Amy Adams is reportedly being “heavily courted” to join Adam Shankman’s upcoming musical, Rock of Ages.  Deadline reports that Adams is being offered the role of a journalist who plans to write a scathing expose of decadent rock star Stacee Jax (played by Tom Cruise) but ends up sleeping with him instead after they do a duet of Foreigner’s “I Want to Know What Love Is”.  The role was initially offered to Anne Hathaway, but the scheduling conflicted with her time playing Catwoman in The Dark Knight Rises.

Adams previously did some fantastic singing in Enchanted and she’s set to sing again in The Muppets.  If Adams signs on to Rock of Ages, she’ll join not only Cruise, but also Mary J. Blige, Alec Baldwin, Russell Brand, and Julianne Hough.  Deadline reports that we should know by early next week if Adams has taken the gig.  Rock of Ages is currently set to open on June 1, 2012.

Warner Bros. Sets Release Dates for ROCK OF AGES and JACK THE GIANT KILLER

by Adam Chitwood    Posted: March 23rd, 2011 at 3:37 pm

Warner Bros. has set the release dates for two of its 2012 summer tentpole flicks. First up, director Adam Shankman’s (Hairspray) star-studded adaptation of the musical Rock of Ages is scheduled for June 1^st, 2012. The 1980’s rocker musical is set to star Tom Cruise, with a number of actors circling roles for the film including Alec Baldwin, Russell Brand, Mary J. Blige, Anne Hathaway, Gwyneth Paltrow and Julianne Hough.

Director Bryan Singer’s epic fantasy Jack the Giant Killer is now slated for June 15^th, 2012. The re-telling of the classic fairy tale stars Nicholas Hoult, Stanley Tucci, Bill Nighy, Ian McShane, Ewan McGregor and Elanor Tomlinson. Jack the Giant Killer centers on the titular Jack leading an expedition to the land of Giants to rescue a princess.

Adam Shankman Confirms Alec Baldwin, Mary J. Blige, Tom Cruise, and Julianne Hough for ROCK OF AGES

by Brendan Bettinger    Posted: March 6th, 2011 at 11:40 am

Tom Cruise, Mary J. Blige, and Julianne Hough have spent recent weeks negotiating with New Line to star in Rock of Ages.  Director Adam Shankman (Hairspray) has confirmed their involvement via Twitter.  Shankman also promises “more to come,” which may address the rumored involvement of Anne Hathaway, Gwyneth Paltrow, and Russell Brand.

Justin Theroux (Iron Man 2) is currently polishing the script written by Allan Loeb (The Switch) based on the Broadway musical about a small town girl (Hough) who falls in love with a rocker in the fictionally famous LA rock club, The Bourbon Club.  Set in 1987, the stage show is fueled by the hair metal of the era, including songs by Journey, Night Ranger, Styx, REO Speedwagan, Pat Benatar, and Twisted Sister.

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