Source: Variety

Adam Shankman, director of Hairspray, has signed on to direct the film adaptation of Tony Award-nominated Broadway musical Rock of Ages, which created a buzz around the entertainment industry by featuring music by '80s rock bands like Journey, Styx and Whitesnake, not to mention casting American Idol vet Constantine Maroulis. Shankman, as he did with Hairspray, will also be choreographing the film, and has plans to begin production next summer for a 2011 release.

Shankman must be hoping that Rock of Ages follows in the recent trend of bankable, star-studded musicals. While Hairspray made a decent $141 million around the world in 2007, last year's Mamma Mia! made a stunning (for a musical or otherwise) $601 million worldwide. Shankman has already expressed interest in, like Mamma Mia!, casting big stars for the film.

While Shankman throws himself into production for this and other developing projects, including a Hairspray sequel, Hollywood is churning out a whole host of big-budget musicals. Most notably of which is Nine, which is due in December.