Get ready Adam Shankman, because you’re about to be the busiest man in Hollywood.
Not only is Shankman about to be the third permanent judge on So You Think You Can Dance, but he’s also signed on to producer the Academy Awards and direct and choreograph the film version of Rock of Ages. Apparently, Adam Shankman needs considerably less sleep than the rest of us, or he’s some sort of superhuman.
The news came this morning that Shanks had been tapped to direct and choreograph Rock of Ages, the latest Broadway musical to have big-screen ambitions. Rock of Ages tells a story of two people who meet at a Sunset Strip club (called Rock of Ages), fall in love, and have a relationship in the 80s and amid arena rock anthems by bands like Journey, Bon Jovi, and Joan Jett. Since its opening, the show has achieved critical success, including five Tony nominations. Currently, Constantine Maroulis, a former American Idol contestant is starring in the musical.
Shanks is super excited to direct the big-screen version telling the Daily Variety, “I had the best time of my life making Hairspray and badly wanted another musical, and when I watched Rock of Ages, I was struck by the fact that not only had much of the audience seen it more than once, every guy in the audience knew the words to the songs. What an extraordinary opportunity to open the genre to an audience that otherwise wouldn’t go see a musical.” He also hopes to film the movie with big stars in Los Angeles, which at least is where So You Think You Can Dance is filmed.
Continuing Shanks big day, it was announced this afternoon that he would be producing next year’s Academy Awards. Seeing that it’s Hollywood’s biggest night, it’s a huge honor for Shankman to be tapped to produce the awards. Academy Awards President Tom Sherak says that Shanks was hired for his “directing and choreography skills.” No word on how or if this will affect the amount of time Shanks’ can dedicate to So You Think You Can Dance, but it is huge news for Shankman, SYTYCD, and his fans. Congrats Adam!
–Abbey Simmons, BuddyTV Staff Writer
(Image Courtesy of FOX)
Contributing Writer, BuddyTV
