Adam Shankman Explains Why Constantine Maroulis Was Wrong for ROCK OF AGES Film

With news that relative newcomer Diego Boneta will lead as Drew in the upcoming ROCK OF AGES film, many fans are wondering why Broadway's original Drew, Constantine Maroulis, was passed over for the film. 

"Constantine was perfection as Drew in the play," Director Adam Shankman told 24 Frames. "But the truth of the matter is that I cast at age, and I wanted someone who doesn't have to act 20 or 23 but actually is 20 or 23. The authenticity of someone actually being that age is important." He went on to address concerns that another actor wouldn't meet the mark: "It would be like saying Ethel Merman is the only one who could play Mama Rose. This is a great example of a torch being passed."

Although Maroulis is being offered a smaller, unspecified role, audiences will see 20-year-old Diego Boneta as the film's leading man. Shankman describes the choice actor as "charming and innocent and guileless," although only time will tell if he lives up to the expectation ROCK OF AGES fans have for their Drew.

ROCK OF AGES opened on April 7, 2009 at Broadway's Brooks Atkinson Theatre to critical acclaim, following an off Broadway engagement in the fall of 2008. The Broadway production was nominated for Five 2009 Tony Awards, including Best Musical, and New Line Records released the Original Broadway Cast Recording in July 2009, featuring 28 songs from the show. The New Line Cinema/Warner Bros. film of the musical, directed by Adam Shankman (Hairspray), was originally scheduled to be released in 2011. As previously reported, a new release date has now been set for the film: June 1, 2012.

The music that 'ignited a generation' is heating up Broadway in ROCK OF AGES. The classic rock love story of the decade erupts into Broadway's best party, all to the sounds of such feel-good, sing-out-loud songs as Every Rose Has Its Thorn, I Wanna Know What Love Is, Here I Go Again, Don't Stop Believin' and more. This five-time Tony nominated musical is nothin' but a good time.

For tickets and more information on the show, visit www.rockofagesmusical.com.