Tom Cruise looks almost unrecognisable as rock god Stacee Jaxx for new musical-turned-movie "Rock of Ages".
Sporting long hair and leather trousers, the actor, who turns 50 on July 3, denied he was going through a midlife crisis.
SOUNDBITE: Tom Cruise, saying (English):
"No, it's just a character."
He was in London at the European premiere for the movie and said like his stunt man roles, he spent hours of training, but this time it was for vocal and dance performances.
SOUNDBITE: Tom Cruise, saying (English):
"There's no halfway with rock and roll, particularly with (his character in "Rock of Ages") Stacee."
Russell Brand talked about his co-star Alec Baldwin.
The two share an on-screen kiss to the tune of REO Speedwagon's "Can't Fight This Feeling".
SOUNDBITE: Russell Brand, saying (English):
"Alec Baldwin! Oh my god, that man's mouth is like a sort of sweet, sensual, endless desert of wonder."
Canadian actress Malin Akerman, who's a self-confessed rock chick, talked about her own crazy on-screen snog with Cruise.
SOUNDBITE: Malin Akerman, saying (English):
"No I'm going to use my own tongue. It has its own stunts."
The movie follows a young rock and roll couple played by Julianne Hough and Diego Boneta as they make their way through the hard rock and metal era of Los Angeles in the 1980s.
A stellar supporting cast is played by Paul Giammati as Stacee Jaxx's sleazy manager and Mary J. Blige, as the wise strip club manager.
Director Adam Shankman, who helmed "Hairspray", said all the talk of Cruise's hard work ethic rang true on the set of the film.
SOUNDBITE: Director Adam Shankman, saying (English):
"There's about four months of him (Cruise) singing everyday. By the time the choreography happened, he was dancing six hours a day. I mean, the guy does not quit. We always tease him, he's the guy who invented the 30-hour day."
"Rock of Ages" will hit British cinemas on Wednesday (June 13), the US on Friday (June 15) with global rollouts to follow.
Cindy Martin, Reuters
