Cruise, Streep, Roberts step out of their comfort zones

If you think you saw the last of the kooky Tom Cruise in 2008’s “Tropic Thunder,” in which he portrayed a hirsute movie executive with a potty mouth, think again. After the superstar reignites the “Mission: Impossible” film franchise via Brad Bird’s “Ghost Protocol” later this year, Cruise will further expand his comfort zone by appearing in Adam Shankman’s big-screen version of the rock-and-jukebox stage musical, “Rock of Ages” – as a rock star!

As Stacee Jaxx, the lecherous frontman of a rock band, Cruise isn’t just going to be a baddie in the musical, he’ll also be stretching his pipes in challenging tunes like Bon Jovi’s “Wanted Dead or Alive,” Quiet Riot’s “Cum On Feel The Noize” and Styx’s “Renegade.” He will be sharing the spotlight with Alec Baldwin, Catherine Zeta-Jones, Paul Giamatti and Mary J. Blige.

Well, if “non-singer” Meryl Streep can sing in movies (“Mamma Mia,” “Postcards from the Edge”) and win acclaim for it, why can’t Tom, right?

Speaking of Streep, Tinseltown’s “greatest living actress” raises the level of thespic difficulty for herself again when she channels Margaret Thatcher in “The Iron Lady,” Phyllida Lloyd’s intimate portrait of the United Kingdom’s first (and only) female Prime Minister. We’ve seen stills from the movie, and it sure looks like Streep is up for another winning characterization – and the fluffy bouffant and confident gaze are just for starters!

On the rocks

After that, the acting icon reunites with director David Frankel (“The Devil Wears Prada”) in “Great Hope Springs,” about a middle-aged couple (played by Streep and Tommy Lee Jones) whose marriage is on the rocks. To patch up their differences, they decide to go through intensive marriage counseling. But, does their union stand a chance if their therapist turns out to be – Steve Carell?!

Like Cruise, Julia Roberts also goes the contravida route in Tarsem Singh’s revisionist “Snow White,” which sees the lovely princess (Lily Collins) and her seven dwarfs plotting to reclaim the devastated kingdom from the Evil Queen, played by – would you believe? – Julia!

Romantic drama

This month, the Pretty Woman will be seen with Tom Hanks in the feel-good romantic drama, “Larry Crowne,” about a middle-aged man (Hanks) who goes back to college after unexpectedly losing his job. Roberts plays the world-weary teacher he develops a crush on.

Another brave actress who keeps pushing the envelope is Angelina Jolie, who will play the title role in David Fincher’s ambitious retelling of “Cleopatra,” the last pharaoh of Ancient Egypt – who married her brothers, consummated a liaison with Julius Caesar, and aligned herself with Mark Antony to keep her steady grip on the throne! That’s certainly right up Jolie’s alley!

Trivia: The last high-profile big-screen project about the legendary queen was the 1963 epic starring Elizabeth Taylor. Made at $44 million (equivalent to about $297 million in 2007, after adjusting for inflation), it is one of the most expensive movies ever made.

Joseph Mankiewicz’s production allotted a $194,800 budget for Taylor’s 65 costumes alone – including a dress made from 24-carat gold cloth! Alas, the movie was a flop. Let’s hope Jolie’s version doesn’t suffer the same fate.