Kathryn McCormick to play lead in 'Step Up 4'

They really are dancing till the world ends. After the success of "Step Up 3D," the most recent installment in the superficial, cheesy series of flicks about troubled kids finding hope in dancing, producers of the franchise are ready to step up for another round.

Yes, "Step Up 4Ever" is indeed happening, and Stacey Tookey and Adam Shankman just announced Kathryn McCormick will star as the lead in the film. Shankman said he was pretty much blown away by her audition. He believes a "star is born."

Scott Speer, who's got experience with music videos, will direct the fourth film. McCormick is known for her appearances on "So You Think You Can Dance." She was also in the "Fame" reboot we saw in 2009. So, who's ready for "Step Up 4Ever"? (via ComingSoon)

Photo of Tom Cruise in 'Rock of Ages'

The first photo of Tom Cruise in Adam Shankman's upcoming film "Rock of Ages" has hit the Web via TomCruise.com, and you can see it above. Cruise is rocking out as Stacee Jaxx in the movie that is currently scheduled to open June 1, 2012.

Chris D'Arienzo, who created the Off Broadway's musical the film is based on, wrote the adaptation. The story of "Rock of Ages" follows a man and a woman who fall in love at a rock club but later break apart because of the extravagance of the rock lifestyle.

Also part of the cast are Alec Baldwin, Russell Brand, Catherine Zeta-Jones, Paul Giamatti, Mary J. Blige, Julianne Hough, Malin Akerman and Bryan Cranston. Who's ready to rock out? Btw, Shankman also directed "Hairspray."

First set photo from 'Rock of Ages'

Director Adam Shankman posted the first set photo from his upcoming movie "Rock of Ages," which  is planned for a release June 1, 2012. As you can see in the shot above, it's Russell Brand and Alec Baldwin getting their werid costumes on. Hilarious!

Chris D'Arienzo, who created the Off Broadway's musical the film is based on, wrote the adaptation. The story of "Rock of Ages" follows a man and a woman who fall in love at a rock club but later break apart because of the extravagance of the rock lifestyle.

Also part of the cast are Tom Cruise, Catherine Zeta-Jones, Paul Giamatti, Mary J. Blige, Julianne Hough, Malin Akerman and Bryan Cranston. Shankman also helmed "Hairspray." Baldwin was rumored to be out of the ptoject, but this pic sure confirms he's still in.

Casting alert: Elizabeth Banks to play Tinkerbell

Walt Disney Pictures is developing "Tink," a live-action Tinkerbell romantic comedy, and Elizabeth Banks ("W.") is in talks to play the title character in the flick Adam Shankman and McG will produce.

Elizabeth Wright Shapiro is writing the script, which focuses in part of the mischievous nature of Tinkerbell. Banks recently starred in "The Uninvited," and she's got "The Next Three Days" coming soon.

Adam Shankman to direct 'Rock of Ages'

Last year, New Line Cinema acquired the rights to adapt Off Broadway's musical show "Rock of Ages," and now, Adam Shankman has signed on to direct and choreograph the project, set for release in 2011.

Chris D'Arienzo, who created the musical, wrote the adaptation and was originally set to direct. The show boasts '80s rock classics from Twisted Sister, Joan Jett, Pat Benatar, Foreigner, Bon Jovi and others.

The story of "Rock of Ages" follows a man and a woman who fall in love at a rock club but later break apart because of the extravagance of the rock lifestyle.

Shankman is obviously no stranger to musicals, having helmed New Line's "Hairspray." He will be back to direct the sequel, and his upcoming projects also include "Playing for Pizza" and a "Sinbad" musical.

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Adam Shankman to develop 'Birdie' remake

Filmmaker Adam Shankman is set to develop and produce a remake of "Bye Bye Birdie" for Columbia.

Based on the popualr musical, the film follows Conrad Birdie, a rock 'n' roll star who agrees to kiss one of his biggest fans as part of a publicity stunt before he is sent to war overseas.

The success of the musical provoked several big-screen adaptations already, including a 1963 version with Janet Leigh and Dick Van Dyke, and a 1995 TV version with Vanessa Williams and Jason Alexander.

Shankman will produce the project with Doug Wick and Lucy Fisher. Jennifer Gibgot is on board to executive produce.

Shankman, who also directed "Hairspray," most recently directed "Bedtime Stories." He's also gearing up to helm "Hairspray 2."

Source: The Hollywood Reporter

Daily news dose: Takita's 'Departures' gets U.S. release; Shankman talks 'Hairspray 2'

Here's your dose of quick news bits for Jan. 6, 2009...

• Regent Releasing has aquired the North American distribution rights for Yojiro Takita's "Departures" (Okuribito), a drama that focuses on a cellist who loses his job and decides to move back to his hometown, where he starts to work as the local undertaker. The film is also Japan's submission for the best foreign film. (Hollywood Reporter)

• Director Adam Shankman talked to MTV about "Hairspray 2." Here's part of what he had to say: “[The treatment] is amazing, but it’s crazy. There are things in there that I was like ‘Can we do that?’ It’s real John Waters-y stuff, and it was more like a sequel to his movie than to our movie. Which I love, because then that becomes re-interpreted.”

• MTV also talked to "Sex and the City" stylist Patricia Field, who talked a bit about the sequel to last year's big-screen adaptation. “I do believe it will happen, because [creator] Michael Patrick King himself told me it’s gonna happen. But I haven’t really received any official information yet,” she said.

• Jay Chandrasekhar recently talked to Movieweb about a sequel to "Super Troopers." Here's some plot info: "We pick up the story essentially right were we left off. Maybe about three months later. We are all working undercover for the lumber industry. What has happened is that there are all of these eco-terrorists that are trying to blow up the lumber mills. And we are there working as security."

'Bedtime Stories' web reviews

Adam Sandler stars in Adam Shankman's "Bedtime Stories," a family adventure about a hotel repairman who tells bedtime stories that mysteriously come to life the next day. I didn't enjoy the movie that much, but let's see what other Web critics have to say about it:

• Kevin Carr at FilmSchoolRejects: "Since I have had kids, I have gained an appreciation for children’s movies. And this film is exactly that… it’s Disney’s annual holiday movie that is meant for families with young children."

• Cinematical's Jette Kenion: "Instead we get this dull and dismal movie that offers little for anyone over the age of six, that even diehard Adam Sandler fans are going to find lacking, that assumes children will settle for second-rate writing and third-rate gags and the antics of a fake guinea pig."

• Josh Tyler at CinemaBlend: "The frustrating thing about Bedtime Stories isn’t that it’s awful exactly, more that it might have had something."

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Review: "Bedtime Stories"

Seen on: December 26, 2008

The players: Director: Adam Shankman, Writers: Matt Lopez, Tim Herlihy, Cast: Adam Sandler, Courtney Cox Arquette, Keri Russell, Teresa Palmer, Guy Pearce, Lucy Lawless

Facts of interest: Adam Shankman also directed "Hairspray."

The plot: Adam Sandler pays a hotel handyman whose life changes after his bedtime stories come to life.

Our thoughts: Walt Disney’s contribution to the bunch of Christmas Day releases this year is Adam Shankman’s “Bedtime Stories,” a family comedy starring Adam Sandler as a hotel handyman whose life takes a drastic turn when the bedtime stories he tells his niece and nephew somehow start to come true.

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Adam Shankman does musical and 'Sinbad'

Adam Shankman is set to direct a new musical and a new take on the story of Sinbad, according to Variety.

"Bob the Musical," which he helms for Walt Disney, follows a man who starts hearing the "inner song" of people's hearts after he's struck on the head.

At Sony, the director is developing a reimagining of the "Sinbad" tale, which follows Sinbad and his crew as they head out to find the lamp of Aladdin.

Shankman directed last year's "Hairspray," and he said he would reteam with composer Marc Shaiman on "Bob." As far as "Sinbad" is concerned, he told Variety it will "really stretch my imagination as far as I can take it."

Shankman's latest directorial effort, "Bedtime Stories," is due in theaters Dec. 25, 2009. He's also working on "Hairspray 2."

You may also know him from flicks such as "The Wedding Planner," "Bringing Down the House" and "The Pacifier."