Will Russell Brand Roll Into Rock of Ages on the Big Screen?

Film funnyman Russell Brand may join the already starry cast-in-formation of the Rock of Ages movie musical, according to Deadline.com. Brand would reportedly play Lonny, a role previously being considered by The Green Hornet star Seth Rogen. Lonny is the show’s narrator who runs rock venue The Bourbon and wails on REO Speedwagon’s "Can’t Fight This Feeling" with club owner Dennis Dupree, a role reportedly being circled by 30 Rock star Alec Baldwin.

Brand is the latest in a long line of A-listers to express interest in the film version of the '80s rock tuner. In addition to Rogen, celebs like Gwyneth Paltrow have expressed interest in the project, while singers Taylor Swift and Mary J. Blige have reportedly been in talks to play leading lady Sherrie and strip club owner Justice, respectively. In addition, ink on a deal to have Tom Cruise play over-the-top rocker Stacee Jaxx is said to be nearly dry.

Rock of Ages is set in 1987 on the Sunset Strip, where a small town girl meets a big city rocker in L.A.’s most famous rock club. Their love story is told through the hits of Journey, Bon Jovi, Styx, Pat Benatar, Foreigner, Twisted Sister, Asia, Whitesnake and many more. The musical, which is currently on hiatus until March 24 as it transfers from  the Brooks Atkinson Theatre to the Helen Hayes, received five Tony nominations (including Best Musical) after opening on April 7, 2009.

Brand’s film credits include Bedtime Stories and an upcoming remake of Arthur, as well as Forgetting Sarah Marshall and Get Him To The Greek in which he played rock star Aldous Snow.

As previously reported, Adam Shankman, who helmed the movie version of Broadway musical Hairspray, will direct, while a script by librettist Chris D’Arienzo has reportedly gotten a rewrite from Michael Arndt who wrote Little Miss Sunshine. The movie is expected to begin filming in May 2011 and to be released in 2012.