Hollywood Central: Russell Brand Joins 'Rock Of Ages' Movie

Friday, April 15, 2011

Russell Brand Joins 'Rock Of Ages' Movie

'Arthur' star will play narrator Lonny in the big-screen adaptation of the rocking Broadway musical.
By Jocelyn Vena

Russell Brand
Photo: Jemal Countess/ Getty Images

It seems Russell Brand's, um, "scheduling" conflicts were cleared up. After the madcap British actor suggested to MTV News in March that he'd be up for a role in the upcoming film adaptation of the hit Broadway musical "Rock of Ages" if salary negotiations went as planned, on Wednesday the movie's director, Adam Shankman, announced that Brand had been officially cast in the star-filled project.

"I can officially announce Russell Brand as your Lonny in #rockofagesmovie!" Shankman wrote on Twitter. "I see a mullet in his future...maybe a Nikki Six?"

The part is the latest addition to Brand's growing résumé. He currently is featured in two flicks out in theaters — he supplies the voice of the Easter Bunny in the family-friendly movie "Hop," and he tackles the iconic title character in the remake of Dudley Moore's "Arthur," starring as the lovable, cad-like billionaire.

Lonny is the story's narrator, who also happens to run a rock nightclub. Brand has some past experience playing a rocker, having portrayed rock star Aldous Snow in the recent comedies "Forgetting Sarah Marshall" and "Get Him to the Greek," so "Rock of Ages" shouldn't be too much of a stretch.

Brand joins an ever-growing list of actors who have signed on to appear in the flick, including Julianne Hough and Diego Boneta — who will play the film's central characters — Tom Cruise, Alec Baldwin and Mary J. Blige. Paul Giamatti and Amy Adams also are reportedly in negotiations for roles in "Rock of Ages."

The film will begin production on May 19 in Miami, which will double as the story's Los Angeles setting. Shankman has been tweeting about scouting locations down in Florida. "I can't shut down the Sunset Strip for six weeks, and in Miami we're turning four blocks basically into a back lot," the director explained about using Miami as a replacement for L.A. "We'll digitally add in the hills."

What do you think about Russell Brand signing on for a part in the "Rock of Ages" movie? Let us know in the comments.

Check out everything we've got on "Rock of Ages."

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