Cruise Not Officially Signed On To Either Project Yet; Seth Rogen Denies His Musical Involvement
OK quickly, two things. While Tom Cruise will probably sign on to star in the musical “Rock of Ages” eventually, the man is notoriously picky so he must be asking for the script to be tweaked slightly or something because he’s been in discussions to take a supporting part in Adam Shankman‘s new film for what feels like more than six months now (OK, it’s more like four).
Deadline‘s new report is strange insofar as it adds nothing new, really. Cruise is slowly inching forward towards the role, but nothing has changed since the fall — perhaps they’re trying to set up their eventual “toldya!” even though they already reported Cruise’s involvement in the project first. Whatever….
Deadline also says that Cruise is attached to Guillermo del Toro‘s “At the Mountains of Madness,” but we checked with Cruise’s reps and while that might happen eventually too, currently he’s not officially on board that picture either. In fact, everyone seems to be mulling their options there as James McAvoy was offered a role (the same one as Cruise apparently) and neither has decided yet. Perhaps it’s a matter of schedules, because surely everyone wants to work with del Toro and producer James Cameron on that picture. Offers are also allegedly out to Liam Neeson, Ron Perlman and Hugh Jackman, but again these are just offers (Update: Reps for Neeson tell us he’s not involved, nor has he been approached for a role). Anyway, del Toro has basically already said his lucky charm Ron Perlman will be on board somewhere — apparently as Ian Larsen) and production sources in Toronto tell us “At the Mountains of Madness” is scheduled to shoot there in the summer.
Meanwhile Seth Rogen has crushed rumors of his involvement in “Rock of Ages,” laughing the suggestion off because he says he can barely carry a tune. “I heard that rumor, but I can’t sing at all,” Rogen laughed. “I would be the worst guy to put in that movie. I saw ‘Rock of Ages.’ It was pretty good. I liked the music. But I can’t sing. I think people should be aware of that.”
Other actors mentioned in connection with this Broadway musical adaptation include Taylor Swift, Mary J. Blige, Alec Baldwin and Gwyneth Paltrow, but it’s unclear if anyone will sign on the dotted line. Baldwin has a “30 Rock” schedule to deal with, but Paltrow has done lots to prove she can belt out a tune these days: “Glee” appearances, “Country Strong,” so she seems to be a strong fit, as do Blige and Swift. After directing “Hairspray,” and TV episodes of “Glee” (“The Rocky Horror Glee Show” episode) and “Modern Family,” Shankman seems like the ideal guy for a campy, rock musical, but will the final product be anything short of total cornball? We suppose we’ll have to wait and see, but something tells us this could be totally cringe-worthy.