Does the world need more music band biopics? Debatable, but Hollywood could do worse than one about shock-rock band KISS. And Deadline reports that McG has landed quite the catch to play frontman Paul Stanley in his upcoming “Shout It Out Loud“: singer, actor and Jonas Brothers member Nick Jonas.
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STX finances the upcoming pic, which McG plans to shoot in late 2025/early 2026. Darren Lemke pens the film’s most recent script draft, charting the band’s formation in 1973 NYC to their ascendance as arena-shaking sensations. It’s arguably Jonas’ biggest role of his onscreen career, and he’ll do his own singing as Stanley (no surprise there). As for who McG will cast as other original KISS members Ace Frehley, Peter Criss, and the inimitable Gene Simmons, the director remains on the hunt.
A KISS biopic has been in development for years thanks to Mark Canton, Simmons, Stanley, and Dog McGhee, and Jody Gerson via Universal Music Publishing Group and Polygram Entertainment, and Bruce Resnikoff of Universal Music Group/Ume, and Polygram’s David Blackman. All of those names sans Resnikoff will executive produce “Shout It Out Loud” with Leigh Ann Burton. McG pleads producers via his Wonderland banner with his producing partner Mary Viola. Other producers include David Hopwood, Courtney Solomon, and Dorothy Canton, as well as the Swedish-based Pophouse, who own the global rights to KISS.
Jonas’ other film work includes the 2016 college hazing drama “Goat,” “Jumanji,” and “The Good Half,” as well as the MMA series, “Kingdom.” He has more Broadway credits than film/TV ones, however. The actor’s stage career includes starring rles in “Les Miserables,” “Hairspray,” and “How To Succeed In Business Without Really Trying,” as well as “Jersey Boys Live.” Jonas also has Lionsgate‘s “Power Ballad” on the way, starring opposite Paul Rudd.
As for KISS, do they even need an introduction? The ’70s rock band became pop culture phenomenons for their iconic face makeup and theatrical onstage antics, including black leather costumes, platform boots, and other fire-breathing, blood-dripping antics. And then there’s the music: the timeless anthem “Rock and Roll All Nite,” “Detroit Rock City,” and “Lick It Up” are just a few of their hits. The band was inducted in the Rock And Roll Hall Of Fame in 2014, and that begs the question: why has it taken until 2025 for Hollywood to make a movie about the glammiest, glitteriest power rock band to ever grace the planet?
McG will start work on “Shout It Out Loud” after he wraps work on his upcoming Jocko Willink adaptation “Way Of The Warrior Kid” for Apple TV+. Stay tuned for who will star alongside Jonas in the film (that Simmons casting better be perfect).
