On a Steel Horse He Rides: Tom Cruise to Co-Star, Sing Bon Jovi in 'Rock of Ages'

Last year, the Tom Cruise vehicle "Knight and Day," in spite of being spectacularly entertaining, bombed at the box office.

Musicals have been a dicey proposition since "Moulin Rouge!" made them cool again; for every "Chicago" or "Mama Mia!" there has been a "Rent" or "Nine." New Line and director Adam Shankman ("Hairspray") are hoping the current wave of 80s nostalgia will eviscerate both of these roadblocks with their new film, "Rock of Ages." Adapted from the hit stage musical, "Rock of Ages" centers around the lives of fictional 80s rockers.

The Hollywood Reporter is reporting that Cruise will play Stacee Jaxx, "an arrogant and charming star at the top of his career" who sings Bon Jovi's "Wanted Dead or Alive" along with a bevy of other 80s hits.

Arrogant and charming are right in Cruise's wheelhouse, but when was the last time we heard him sing? While it's unclear whether Jaxx is a cover artist or has any of his own original songs or if Bon Jovi even exists in this alternate world, it's safe to assume the film will totally ignore all of this in favor of dishing out songs you've been hearing on the radio for nearly thirty years.

Additionally, Deadline is claiming that New Line and Shankman are also chasing Anne Hathaway for the role of a journalist set on tearing Jaxx apart in the press before she, wait for it, totally falls for him. Her involvement depends on her schedule for "The Dark Knight Rises," however. Russell Brand and Alec Baldwin are also interested in the film, though nothing seems to be signed just yet.