The much-hyped big-screen adaptation of the Broadway musical 'Rock of Ages' is all set to begin production in Miami on May 23 with a star-heavy cast that includes Tom Cruise, Catherine Zeta-Jones, Russell Brand, Paul Giamatti, Malin Akerman, Bryan Cranston, Mary J. Blige and Julianne Hough. Or should we say, "was" all set to begin production?

Yesterday, New Line shot down rumors that Alec Baldwin, who was to play the owner of the Sunset Strip nightclub at the center of the movie, had dropped out of director Adam Shankman's film. Now, the studio is saying that Baldwin has asked to be replaced "if at all possible," according to Deadline.

Responding to reports that Baldwin was out of 'Ages,' New Line President Toby Emmerich told Deadline the actor had a newly discovered medical condition that he expected to have resolved before the start of production and that he was still set to star in the film. A few hours later, however, Emmerich again reached out to the website to say Baldwin wanted out of the film if possible.