LOS ANGELES  - "American Idol" alum Constantine Maroulis -- who earned a Tony for his role of Drew in the surprise musical theater hit "Rock of Ages" -- tells The Hollywood Reporter Tom Cruise would be a perfect fit to play Stacee Jaxx in New Line Cinema's upcoming big-screen adaptation.

"I think the guy's amazing, and I think he would just crush it," he tells THR. "I think it's great to see him in different roles, not just the typical Tom Cruise leading-man role."

On Thursday it was announced that Cruise was in final negotiations to co-star in the film as Jaxx. The character sings Bon Jovi's "Wanted Dead of Alive" in the theater production.

Maroulis tells THR seeing Cruise "with teased out, curly-blonde hair, David Lee Roth wit and his sick body and tattoos, all drugged up" would be "a great role for him because he can use all his ability and put it into this character."

Alec Baldwin and Russell Brand are also circling big roles in the upcoming film but do not have deals yet.

Maroulis -- who will open Rock of Ages February 15 at Hollywood's Pantages Theater -- tells THR he wouldn't mind seeing Gwyneth Paltrow join the upcoming movie as a Rolling Stone writer.

She'd even share screen time with Cruise, he says.

"I could see them bust into 'Wanted Dead or Alive,' together" he says. "Gwyneth Paltrow as the naughty reporter, with black-framed glasses, hair up-in-a-bun, who lets loose a little."

As for the role of Drew, Maroulis wants it, of course.

"Obviously you can go the Zac Efron route, he tells THR of the big screen adaptation, "but I obviously see it in a different way."