More celebrity cred for already glittering rock biopic

Upcoming rock biopic CBGB has brought yet more famous names on board, including Foo Fighters drummer Taylor Hawkins, (lustfully playing Iggy Pop), Johnny Galecki (Leonard in The Big Bang Theory) as prosperous music manager Terry Ork and the lady-like Mickey Sumner (The Borgias) as Patti Smith.

The movie is based around legendary NY punk venue CBGB, proving ground for the masters of the genre. Talking Heads, The Ramones and Blondie regularly strutted the boards there, and it became a real feather in the caps of upcoming artists.

The club, owned by former US Marine and industry mogul Hilly Kristal, closed four years ago over rent issues.  

CBGB's other stars include Alan Rickman as Kristal, (Severus Snape and DeValera) Malin Akerman as Debbie Harry, (Silk Spectre II), Joel David Moore as Joey Ramone, (the depressed intern in Bones), and the irrepressible Rupert Grint as Cheetah Chrome, (Ron Weasley). Also joining the cast are a host of minor celebrities, mostly pulled from popular TV series.

Lisa Kristal Burgman, daughter and executor of her father's estate, will be co-producing. This is vital to the success of the film, as the biopic details Kristal's efforts (played by Rickman) to turn a struggling dive into the hottest rock venue in NYC.

Shooting is due to start next month.