AceShowbiz - Moviemaker Adam Shankman has confirmed reports Mexican actor Diego Boneta will lead the cast in his movie adaptation of stage show "Rock of Ages", insisting he wanted a 23-year-old to play a 23-year-old.

The director passed over Constantine Maroulis, who originated the role of Drew Boley on Broadway - because, at 25, he's too old. Shankman tells EW.com, "I am deeply committed to casting at authentic age - I don't want to have to ask anybody to act like they are 23. I wanted a 23-year-old."

"When you're dealing with this heightened reality business, I think it's better to go with what is as authentic as possible, and Diego is absolutely that. He is kid who came to Los Angeles with a dream and who sings and has an amazing voice, and drive. And he's also as honest and sweet as you can possibly make him and he's authentically the age. It creates a piece of something on screen that I don't have to fabricate."

But Shankman feels sure that Boneta won't be the talking point of the film - Tom Cruise, as rock star Stacee Jaxx, will be. He adds, "We were basically dancing around the living room and high-fiving each other because he actually has a fantastic voice. He is going to create an incredibly indelible character, because I told him this needs to be so far out there that it's startling."