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Tom Cruise confirmed to sing in 'Rock of Ages'

Actor will play heavy-metal star in movie version of Broadway musical

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updated 3/2/2011 9:27:37 AM ET 2011-03-02T14:27:37

Tom Cruise is ready to rock -- and, yes, sing -- as a headbanger!

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The actor, 48, will play fictional heavy metal star Stacee Jaxx in Rock of Ages, the big-screen adaptation of the hit Broadway musical, film director Adam Shankman confirmed to E! News' Ryan Seacrest on the red carpet at Sunday's Oscars.

PHOTOS: What all the stars wore at the 2011 Oscars

"He's studying his vocals," Shankman said.

In the show, Cruise's character sings Jon Bon Jovi's classic "Wanted Dead or Alive."

PHOTOS: Tom and Katie's wedded bliss

But, er, can Cruise carry a tune like his wife Katie Holmes?

"He can sing!" Shankman said. "It's a miracle!"

PHOTOS: Suri Cruise's charmed life

Along with Holmes, Cruise checked out a performance of the show last Sunday in Hollywood, where American Idol alum Constantine Maroulis stars.

Copyright 2012 Us Weekly

Photos: Tom Cruise

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  1. Rockin' the turtleneck

    Actor Tom Cruise arrives at the premiere of his sci-fi thriller 'Oblivion' on April 10, 2013 in Hollywood. (Jason Merritt / Getty Images) Back to slideshow navigation

  2. Cozy co-star

    Olga Kurylenko and Cruise attend the London premiere of "Oblivion" on April 4, 2013. (Karwai Tang / Getty Images) Back to slideshow navigation
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  3. Battling for Earth

    Cruise plays Jack Harper, a veteran assigned to extract Earth's remaining resources in "Oblivion." (Universal Pictures) Back to slideshow navigation
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  4. Splish-splash

    Cruise douses Jimmy Fallon with water during a skit on "Late Night With Jimmy Fallon" in December 2012. (NBC via Getty Images) Back to slideshow navigation

  5. Red-carpet man

    Cruise arrives for the world premiere of "Jack Reacher" in Leicester Square in central London on Dec. 10, 2012. (Toby Melville / Reuters) Back to slideshow navigation

  6. Spying on the bad guys

    Cruise's drifter-investigator gets a little help from a retired Marine played by Robert Duvall in 2012's "Jack Reacher." (Karen Ballard / AP) Back to slideshow navigation

  7. Tom Cruise: On his own

    Cruise is now a bachelor, since wife Katie Holmes filed divorce papers on June 28, 2012. Here, the star attends a Friars Club dinner where he was presented with an award on June 12. (Larry Busacca / Getty Images) Back to slideshow navigation
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  8. Rocking out

    Starring in the film version of "Rock of Ages," Cruise belts out a tune as Stacee Jaxx. Reports say he practiced singing five hours a day in order to prepare for the role. (David James / AP) Back to slideshow navigation

  9. What a view!

    Cruise may be many things, but don't say he's afraid of heights. The actor did some of his own stunts for 2011's "Mission: Impossible -- Ghost Protocol." Here he hangs off the world's tallest skyscraper, the Burj Khalifa, in Dubai. (Paramount Pictures) Back to slideshow navigation
    Related interactive It's a bird! It's a plane! It's Tom Cruise!

  10. Konnichiwa!

    Cruise greets Japanese fans upon his arrival at Tokyo's Haneda Airport on Nov. 30, 2011. Cruise was promoting his new film "Mission Impossible - Ghost Protocol." (Yoshikazu Tsuno / AFP - Getty Images) Back to slideshow navigation

  11. Painted ponies

    Cruise and daughter Suri visit Schenley Plaza's carousel on Oct. 8, 2011 in Pittsburgh. (James Devaney / WireImage) Back to slideshow navigation
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  12. Honored

    Cruise receives the Humanitarian Award at the Simon Wiesenthal Center's Annual National Tribute Dinner at the Beverly Wilshire Hotel on May 5, 2011 in Beverly Hills, Calif. Cruise is a longtime supporter of the Wiesenthal Center and its Museum of Tolerance. (Kevin Winter / Getty Images) Back to slideshow navigation
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    Dad and son take in some hoops

    Tom and Connor Cruise attend a game between the New Orleans Hornets and the Los Angeles Lakers at Staples Center on March 27, 2011 in Los Angeles. (Noel Vasquez / Getty Images) Back to slideshow navigation

  14. Red carpet

    Cruise and wife Katie Holmes arrive at The ReelzChannel World premiere of "The Kennedys" at AMPAS Samuel Goldwyn Theater on March 28, 2011 in Beverly Hills, Calif. (John Sciulli / Getty Images) Back to slideshow navigation

  15. On a 'Mission'

    Jeremy Renner, Tom Cruise and actress Paula Patton pose for a picture after holding a press conference about "Mission: Impossible -- Ghost Protocol" in Dubai on Oct. 29, 2010. (- / AFP - Getty Images) Back to slideshow navigation

  16. Strap your hands across my engines

    Cruise and Cameron Diaz ride a motorcycle during shooting of "Knight & Day," in Seville, Spain, on Dec. 11, 2009. (Javier Barbancho / Reuters) Back to slideshow navigation

  17. Daddy-daughter time

    Cruise and daughter Suri, 3, visit Charles River Basin in Cambridge, Mass. on Oct. 10, 2009. (James Devaney / WireImage) Back to slideshow navigation
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  18. Getting their kicks

    Cruise and his two oldest children, Connor Kidman-Cruise, second from right, and Isabella Kidman-Cruise, right, root for family friend David Beckham during a Los Angeles Galaxy soccer game in Carson, Calif., on July 19, 2009. (Gabriel Bouys / AFP - Getty Images) Back to slideshow navigation

  19. Revving up

    Cruise and father-in-law Martin Joseph Holmes prepare to drive the car that was used in the film "Days of Thunder" at Daytona International Speedway in Daytona Beach, Fla., on Feb. 15, 2009. (Rusty Jarrett / Getty Images for NASCAR) Back to slideshow navigation

  20. Stalking Hitler

    In 2008's "Valkyrie," Cruise stars as Col. Claus von Stauffenberg, a Nazi officer who sets into motion a plot to assassinate Adolf Hitler. German officials were not always supportive of the actor shooting scenes in their country. (United Artists) Back to slideshow navigation
  21. Related video Cruise: I ‘came across arrogant’ in 2005

    Anything but glib

    Cruise showed up to help roast TODAY co-host Matt Lauer, right, at the Friar's Club on Oct. 25, 2008, in New York. Cruise, who was famously roasted by bloggers and other pundits after a 2005 interview with Lauer in which he called the anchor "glib," had the house in stitches. (NBC) Back to slideshow navigation

  22. Bringing the 'Thunder'

    Cruise, center, poses for the cameras with Brandon T. Jackson, far left, Jack Black, left, Bill Hader, rear, Ben Stiller, right, and Matthew McConaughey at the premiere of "Tropic Thunder" in Los Angeles on Monday, Aug. 11, 2008. Cruise received rave reviews for his hilarious turn as a studio executive in the flim. (Matt Sayles / AP) Back to slideshow navigation

  23. No feast for lambs

    Meryl Streep, left, and Cruise star in "Lions For Lambs," the first release from Cruise's United Artists studio. The film cost $35 million to make, but failed to break into the top three at the U.S. box office when it opened Nov. 9, 2007, with just $6.7 million. To date, the film has earned $14.9 million in the United States. (David James / MGM via AP) Back to slideshow navigation

  24. Courageous Cruise

    Cruise brought wife Katie Holmes to the Bambi media prize awards in Dusseldorf, Germany, in November 2007. The actor was honored with the courage award for his portrayal of Col. Claus von Stauffenberg in "Valkyrie." (Michael Gottschalk / AFP - Getty Images) Back to slideshow navigation

  25. Happy couple

    Cruise and Holmes pose in their wedding attire at the 15th-century Odescalchi Castle overlooking Lake Bracciano outside of Rome. (AP) Back to slideshow navigation
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  26. Roman holiday

    Cruise, with daughter Suri in tow, celebrated with Holmes in Rome on the eve of their Saturday, Nov. 17, 2006 wedding. (Andrew Medichini / AP) Back to slideshow navigation

  27. 'Mission' terminated

    Cruise returned again to the "Mission: Impossible" franchise in 2006 to star in "Mission: Impossible III" for Paramount Pictures. Sumner Redstone, whose company owns the studio, praised the film as "the best of the three movies" in the action series but still said the studio would sever its 14-year relationship with Cruise's film production company. (Paramount Pictures) Back to slideshow navigation
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  28. L'amour fou

    Holmes and Cruise show off her new engagement ring after Cruise popped the question in Paris. Speculation was surging over whether they were actually in love or if their public displays of affection were some kind of elaborate publicity stunt. Did Cruise's Eiffel Tower marriage proposal end the whispers? Not at all. (Jean-Paul Pelissier / Reuters) Back to slideshow navigation
  29. Related video Matt Lauer moment: Tom Cruise and Ritalin

    'You're glib'

    It was during a pointed interview with NBC's Matt Lauer in June 2005 that many Cruise-watchers began wondering whether the star's Scientology beliefs might be hurting his public image. After Lauer questioned Cruise about those beliefs and his opposition to the use of antidepressants, the actor became visibly agitated. (Virginia Sherwood / NBC via AP) Back to slideshow navigation
  30. Image: Oprah Winfrey
    Related slideshow It's Oprah's world

    Couch jumping

    In May 2005, Cruise appeared on "The Oprah Winfrey Show" and created a media storm when he declared his love for Katie Holmes. The actor jumped on the talk-show host's couch, pumped his fist and brought the young starlet out on stage. Prior to this, the actor had been rather close-mouthed about his private life. (George Burns / AP) Back to slideshow navigation

  31. This means 'War'

    Tim Robbins, left, Cruise and Dakota Fanning try to escape aliens in Steven Spielberg’s “War of the Worlds.” The film is a retelling of the classic H.G. Wells story about aliens invading Earth. (Paramount Pictures) Back to slideshow navigation

  32. Cruz meets Cruise

    Cruise met actress Penelope Cruz on the set of Cameron Crowe’s 2001 film, “Vanilla Sky.” Though many thought their relationship was an attempt to gain publicity for the film, the two actors dated for almost three years before amicably splitting. (Paramount Pictures) Back to slideshow navigation

  33. Stunt man

    Cruise reprised his role as Ethan Hunt in “Mission: Impossible 2.” The actor reportedly scared director John Woo by insisting on doing his own stunts for the film. (Getty Images / Getty Images) Back to slideshow navigation
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    Indie turn

    Cruise surprised audiences with his role as sexist motivational speaker Frank T.J. Mackey in Paul Thomas Anderson’s 1999 film, “Magnolia.” The actor took a pay cut to do the film and received an Oscar nomination for his role. (Peter Sorel / AFP - Getty Images) Back to slideshow navigation

  35. Romance ends

    Stanley Kubrick’s final film was 1999’s “Eyes Wide Shut.” Cruise starred opposite then-wife Nicole Kidman as a disgruntled husband who tries to gain entry into a strange sexual gathering. The film was a box-office disappointment. Kidman and Cruise divorced in 2001. The couple has two adopted children. (Warner Bros.) Back to slideshow navigation
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  36. Show me the money

    Cuba Gooding, Jr. won an Oscar for his role as Rod Tidwell in Cameron Crowe’s “Jerry Maguire.” Cruise, who was nominated for an Oscar, stars as a sports agent who romances Renee Zellweger while trying to keep his failing career afloat. (TriStar Pictures) Back to slideshow navigation

  37. Mission accomplished

    Cruise starred as Ethan Hunt in Brian DePalma’s big-screen adaptation of the classic TV show, “Mission: Impossible.” This classic scene is an homage to a similar scene in the 1964 film, “Topakai.” (Paramount Pictures) Back to slideshow navigation

  38. Vamping

    Long before the "Twilight" books resurrected the undead vampire trend, Cruise, left and Brad Pitt, starred as vampires Lestat and Louis in 1994's "Interview With a Vampire," based on Anne Rice's novel. (Everett Collection) Back to slideshow navigation
    Cast member Pitt poses on the red carpet ahead of the screening of the film Killing Them Softly in competition at the 65th Cannes Film Festival
    Related slideshow The power of Pitt

  39. Good soldier

    Cruise starred opposite Jack Nicholson in "A Few Good Men," a courtroom drama in which Cruise’s feisty young attorney confronts Nicholson’s crusty Marine colonel. (Sony Pictures) Back to slideshow navigation

  40. The need for speed

    Cruise fell in love with co-star Nicole Kidman during the making of the auto racing film "Days of Thunder" in 1990. The couple wed in December of that year and were together for 10 years before separating and eventually divorcing. (Paramount Pictures) Back to slideshow navigation
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  41. Yankee Doodle Dandy

    In Oliver Stone's 1989 film, "Born on the Fourth of July," Cruise played Vietnam veteran Ron Kovic, earning his first Oscar nomination for the emotional role. (Everett Collection) Back to slideshow navigation
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  42. Cruise gets serious

    Cruise left action behind when he starred opposite Dustin Hoffman in Barry Levinson’s 1988 film “Rain Man.” Hoffman won an Oscar for his role as an autistic savant who drives across the country with his brother. (United Artists) Back to slideshow navigation

  43. Wing man

    Perhaps Cruise’s most popular role was as Lt. Pete 'Maverick' Mitchell in the 1986 film “Top Gun” opposite Val Kilmer and Kelly McGillis. The film tells the story of student fighter pilots who compete to be the best of their class. (Paramount Pictures) Back to slideshow navigation
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    Wife number one

    Cruise and Mimi Rogers were married in 1987 and divorced in 1990. Rogers is known for her roles in films like “Someone to Watch Over Me” and “Lost in Space.” She also introduced Cruise to Scientology, which became a major part of his life, although she herself later left the group. (Lennox Mclendon / AP) Back to slideshow navigation

  45. Making a splash

    Cruise's first major role came starring opposite Rebecca De Mornay in the 1983 film "Risky Business." When his parents leave town, Cruise’s Joel Goodson expresses his joy about having the house to himself by letting loose to Bob Seger’s "Old Time Rock and Roll." The sliding on wood floors in your underwear scene has been endlessly parodied, but no one did it like Cruise. (Warner Bros.) Back to slideshow navigation

  46. Beginning of the Brat Pack

    Cruise played a minor role in 1983's "The Outsiders," taking a part alongside numerous actors who would go on to major stardom and many of whom would become part of the group dubbed the Brat Pack. Shown here from left are Emilio Estevez, Rob Lowe, C. Thomas Howell, Matt Dillon, Ralph Macchio, Patrick Swayze and Cruise. (Warner Bros.) Back to slideshow navigation

  47. Day is done

    Cruise first came to critics' attention in 1981's "Taps," as one of a group of military school students who take over their school in order to save it from closing and being sold for condominiums. (Everett Collection) Back to slideshow navigation
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