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Tom "Bon Jovi" Cruise, Anne Hathaway & Julianne Hough: What the Rock Is Going On?

Get the latest on director Adam Shankman's movie adaptation of hit Broadway musical Rock of Ages

By Marc Malkin, Brett Malec Feb 16, 2011 3:30 PMTags
Julianne Hough, Tom Cruise, Anne HathawayBryan Bedder/Getty Images; ALFREDO ESTRELLA/Getty Images; Denise Truscello/WireImage.com

Is Julianne Hough getting closer to starring in the Rock of Ages movie?

It sure looked like it last night.

Keep reading to find out what we're talking about. Plus, get an update on the Tom Cruise and Anne Hathaway rumors...

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Hough was at the L.A. opening of the Rock of Ages stage musical at the Pantages and walked the arrivals carpet with director Adam Shankman, who happens to be directing the movie adaptation of the show.

As I was the first to tell you, the Burlesque dancer-singer-actress is on the top of the list of candidates to play Sherri Christian, a girl from Kansas who moves to Hollywood to get into acting.

"We love [Hough] and it's a good rumor," Matt Weaver, who created ROA with wife Hillary, told us. "We really think she's talented."

As for Cruise playing musician Stacee Jaxx (who warbles such tunes as Bon Jovi's "Wanted Dead or Alive"), Weaver said, "He's got an awesome voice! He's got an awesome attitude.

"He's embracing it, he's getting into character, he's doing his research," he continued. "He's ready to go back to 1986!"

Weaver said Hathaway isn't signed on just yet to take on the role of a journalist who ends up in bed with Cruise's character. "We're trying to work it out with Anne," he said. "She's got a Batman schedule we're trying to work with."

No word yet on who they're considering for the movie's young male lead. American Idol alum Constantine Maroulis originated the part on Broadway (he earned a Tony nomination for is work) and continues to play him in the national touring company.

Also at last night's big opening were Zac Efron, Darren Criss, Margraret Cho, Malin Akerman, Beverly Hills Housewives star Lisa Vanderpump, George Lopez, Jai Rodriquez, Shannon Elizabeth, Dancing With the Stars' Edyta Sliwinska, Carmen Electra and Mena Suvari.