Warner Bros. and New Line Cinema officially released an announcement that marks the start of principal photography for the movie adaptation of hit Broadway Rock Musical "Rock of Ages".  Read the official press release after the jump.

Burbank, CA, June 6, 2011 – New Line Cinema’s film adaptation of the smash hit Broadway musical “Rock of Ages” has begun principal photography under the direction of Adam Shankman (“Hairspray”). The movie musical stars Julianne Hough (“Burlesque”), with actor/singer Diego Boneta in his feature film debut, Oscar® nominee Paul Giamatti (“Cinderella Man”), Russell Brand (“Arthur,” “Get Him to the Greek”), Rhythm and Blues queen Mary J. Blige, Malin Akerman (“The Proposal”), multiple Emmy®-winner Bryan Cranston (TV’s “Breaking Bad,” “The Lincoln Lawyer”) and Academy Award® winner Catherine Zeta-Jones (“Chicago”), with Oscar® nominees Alec Baldwin (“The Cooler”) and Tom Cruise (“Born on the Fourth of July”).

“Rock of Ages” tells the story of small town girl Sherrie (Hough) and city boy Drew (Boneta), who meet on the Sunset Strip while pursuing their Hollywood dreams. Their rock ‘n’ roll romance is told through the heart-pounding hits of Def Leppard, Joan Jett, Journey, Foreigner, Bon Jovi, Night Ranger, REO Speedwagon, Pat Benatar, Twisted Sister, Poison, Whitesnake, and more.

Shankman directs “Rock of Ages” from a screenplay by Chris D’Arienzo, based on his musical. The film is being produced by Matt Weaver, Scott Prisand, Carl Levin, Tobey Maguire and Jen Gibgot, with Garrett Grant, Adam Shankman, Janet Billig Rich, Hillary Weaver, Toby Emmerich, Michael Disco and Samuel J. Brown serving as executive producers.

Rounding out the “Rock of Ages” creative team are cinematographer Bojan Bazelli (“Hairspray”), production designer Jon Hutman (“It’s Complicated”), Oscar®-nominated costume designer Rita Ryack (“How the Grinch Stole Christmas,” “Hairspray”), editor Emma E. Hickox (“A Walk To Remember”), Grammy-nominated music supervisor Matthew Rush Sullivan (“Dreamgirls,” “Nine”), executive music producer Adam Anders (TV’s “Glee”) and Emmy Award-winning choreographer Mia Michaels (“So You Think You Can Dance”).

The film is being shot entirely in the Miami and Fort Lauderdale, Florida, areas.

Here is also a first look on Russell Brand and Alec Baldwin as Lonnie and Dennis respectively on the set of Rock of Ages in full character costume.


Personally I haven't seen Rock of Ages so I really don't have any idea how good is this musical. But since Adam Shankman (Hairspray) is on board the director's chair and a couple of good names on the cast, I'll definitely check this one out when it comes out next year.

From New Line Cinema, “Rock of Ages” will be released next year June 1, 2012 to be distributed worldwide by Warner Bros. Pictures, a Warner Bros. Entertainment Company.