Russell Brand Circling ROCK OF AGES With Tom Cruise

The ever-growing list of stars that are “circling” or “in talks” to appear in director Adam Shankman’s (Hairspray) adaptation of the stage musical Rock of Ages has just added one more name. Russell Brand is apparently looking at starring in the film as Lonnie, who runs the 80’s rock club The Bourbon. Alec Baldwin is said to be looking at the role of the owner of that club, who sings a rousing rendition of “I Can’t Fight This Feeling” by REO Speedwagon with Brand’s character.

The musical takes place in 1987 and tells the story of “a small town girl met a big city rocker and in LA’s most famous rock club, they fell in love to the greatest songs of the 80s.” We recently told you that Gwyneth Paltrow was offered a role in the film. Deadline reports that Tom Cruise will close a deal to headline the film as aging rocker Stacee Jax shortly. Mary J. Blige is also in talks to join the cast. The script for the film was originally written by the musical’s book writer Chris D’Arienzo, but has since seen a revision by Toy Story 3 scribe Michael Arndt. Production is looking towards a May start date.