We're not sure why, but it might actually be something serious.
As the entire cast of Adam Shankman's film adaptation of Rock of Ages has finally been assembled, the director has invited the whole gang to Miami in two weeks to have their first table read before the film starts shooting. Everyone's going to be there - Tom Cruise, Catherine Zeta-Jones, Russell Brand - but according to reports, someone who might not be on hand is Alec Baldwin. Apparently, last night, he called the studio to ask if he could be pulled from the movie completely.
Yesterday afternoon, New Line studio head Toby Emmerich denied rumors that Alec was being replaced and insisted that he was committed to the movie. He did however reveal that Alec confessed to having a newly discovered medical condition that he expected to resolve itself by the time shooting starts this summer.
But a few short hours later, Alec apparently called Toby and asked the studio to replace him "if at all possible." Whatever this medical condition is that he has, we presume he thinks it's serious enough to keep him from giving it his all in the role of Dennis Dupree. Now, the studio is scrambling to either find a replacement for Alec on such short notice or find a way to work around Alec's ailment.
Depending on what's his problem, maybe it would be worth it for everyone just to replace him. It might set you guys back, but who knows what kind of issues you'll encounter if you keep him on and he constantly has to pull out of shooting days or is too weak to work, etc. Don't get us wrong - we honestly hope Alec's health isn't in serious danger - but this movie is a business with a lot of lives and a lot of money at stake. The studio should do right by them as well as Alec.
[Image via WENN.]
Tags: adam shankman, adaptation, director, miami, replacement, rock of ages, rumors, shooting
