Will Forte joins 'Rock of Ages'

By Adnan Tezer Jul 13, 2011, 18:58 GMT

Will Forte has joined the cast of Warner Bros.' screen adaptation of the Broadway musical "Rock of Ages" for New Line Cinema.

According to The Hollywood Reporter, shooting is underway in Florida with a June 1, 2012, release date set.

"Hairspray" director Adam Shankman is directing and choreographing the film.

The cast includes Tom Cruise, Mary J. Blige, Alec Baldwin, Diego González Boneta, Julianne Hough, Paul Giamatti, Russell Brand, Catherine Zeta-Jones, Bryan Cranston and Malin Akerman.

The musical's creator, Chris D'Arienzo, wrote the screen adaptation with Shankman and Justin Theroux doing a polish.

The story revolves around two dreamers, Drew Boley (Boneta) and Sherrie Christian (Hough), who meet at the 1980s Sunset Strip club Rock of Ages, fall in love and try to stay together.

Forte will play a network news anchor, a character that was not in the original musical.

He is best known for his work on "Saturday Night Live."

Carl Levin, Matthew Weaver, Scott Prisand, Tobey Maguire and Jennifer Gibgot are producing.

The soundtrack for the musical is set to '80s rock anthems made popular by Journey, Twisted Sister, Joan Jett, Bon Jovi, Pat Benatar and other groups.

The musical premiered in Los Angeles in 2006, was on Broadway three years later and received five Tony nominations.