The 80s are back on screen: Rock of Ages film for 2012

 Say what you will about eighties, it truly was an interesting decade to be alive. 

Say what you will about eighties, it truly was an interesting decade to be alive. The collapse of the Berlin Wall, the release of the boombox, the Live Aid concert are certainly some of the highlights, but others say it was really a time for bad style trends and even worse hairstyles. However, on one thing almost all children of the 80s agree: Eighties rock was amazing.  Bands like Queen, Guns and Roses and Aerosmith made chart topping music with songs still popular today, and one musical which captures the memory and spirit of the era is the musical Rock of Ages, a story about two young lovers set in the music scene of Hollywood, circa 1987. The show premiered in Los Angeles in 2006, moving to Broadway two years later and now is playing in Melbourne, with Brisbane to follow later in the year.
The Australian production of the show is currently thrilling audiences from across the country, with almost a cult following – and once the show runs its course down under, fans will have the opportunity to see their favourite characters on the silver screen. Due out in 2012, the American film adaptation of the musical will be the next in a line of movie musicals currently being produced in Hollywood.  Chris D’Arienzo, who wrote the original musical has also co-writen the screenplay. The film will feature songs from artists such as Poison, Pat Benatar, Twisted Sister, Styx and Journey.   Filming for the movie has just wrapped, with Tom Cruise as Stacee Jaxx (pictured), Dieago Boneta (TV’s 90210) cast as Drew Foley the wannabe rocker and Julianne Hough (U.S Dancing With the Stars) as Sherrie Christian, the out of town girl who comes to Hollywood to become an actress.  The film is directed by Adam Shankman, and choreographed by Kelly Devine, who most recently worked with the original cast of Dr. Zhivago in Australia. Shankman, probably best known for directing the film version of Hairspray (which saw a singing Christopher Walken and a feminine John Travolta in a fat suit) is not only a director and producer, but also a choreographer, making him the perfect candidate to direct movie musicals. Hairspray the movie gained positive reviews, three golden globe nominations and until Mamma Mia came along, had the biggest opening in the United States for a musical film. No doubt, the powers-that-be are hoping Shankman can do the same for Rock of Ages. Like the film version of Hairspray, the Rock of Ages film has a star studded cast. Apart from Boneta and Hough, the film also stars Russel Brand, Alec Baldwin, Mary J. Blige and Paul Giamatti. Also joining the cast is Catherine Zeta Jones, who won an Oscar for her role in the 2002 musical, Chicago. Zeta Jones is said to playing a character not present in the theatre production, described as being a ‘villainess’.  The American release date is set for the 1st of June, 2012 so we would likely see it in Australian theatres later in the year. Who knows if this film will reach the success and critical acclaim of previous movie musicals, but with a soundtrack including ‘Wanted Dead or Alive’, ‘Hit Me With Your Best Shot’ and ‘The Final Countdown’, chances are it’s going to rock! Photo: Courtesy of slashfilm.com