Catherine Zeta-Jones is cast in 'Rock of Ages,' has 'no shame' about bipolar II treatment

Catherine Zeta-Jones has been cast in "Rock of Ages," taking on a role created specifically for musical's movie version starring Tom Cruise.

Zeta-Jones, who recently revealed she'd sought treatment for bipolar II disorder, did the musical thing in the 2002 movie version of "Chicago," taking home the supporting actress Oscar for her efforts.

Regarding her bipolar II diagnosis, "This is a disorder that affects millions of people and I am one of them," the 41-year-old actress told People. "If my revelation ... has encouraged one person to seek help, then it is worth it.

"There is no need to suffer silently and there is no shame in seeking help," she said. Bipolar II is characterized by long periods of depression punctuated by episodes of mild mania.

Sounds like silence won't be an issue for her in "Rock of Ages":  Zeta-Jones' character could be the "love child" of Tipper Gore and Anita Bryant, director Adam Shankman told the Hollywood Reporter.

"She is this hard-core, Moral Majority arch-conservative who wants to shut down rock 'n' roll in the great city of Los Angeles," Shankman said, adding that in the last month or so the new role "was invented to streamline the stories."

Other famous names lined up for the film: Russell Brand, Alec Baldwin, Paul Giamatti,  Mary J. Blige and Julianne Hough, who plays the small-town girl at the center of the story set in Hollywood's 1980s music scene.

"Ages" is scheduled to start filming in mid-May in Miami, with a 2012 release planned. 

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-- Christie D'Zurilla

Photo: For her services to the film industry and to charity, the newest "Rock of Ages" cast member, Catherine Zeta-Jones, was made a Commander of the British Empire by the Prince of Wales at Buckingham Palace in London on Feb. 24, 2010. Credit: John Stillwell / EPA

Charlie Sheen walks, talks, gets called out by 'Two and a Half Men' lawyer

So what's the torpedo of truth behind rumors Charlie Sheen has had talks about returning to "Two and a Half Men"? Much like reviews of his touring live show, it depends on who you talk to and when.

"There've been discussions" about the unemployed actor returning to the sitcom run by the people who just fired him, Sheen said Wednesday on Boston radio, "but I was asked not to divulge anything." According to Sheen's attorney, those discussions were held as recently as Tuesday, Show Tracker reports.

Warner Bros., however, begged to disagree. And they begged to disagree in a letter from attorney to attorney, reminding Team Sheen for the record that "there have been no discussions, there are no discussions and there will be no discussions, regarding his returning to or having any involvement with the series," according to the document obtained by TMZ.

Coincidentally, in the wake of Catherine Zeta-Jones' admission Wednesday that she recently sought treatment for bipolar II disorder, Sheen on Friday tweeted vigorously about a bipolar-disorder walk he'd organized to raise awareness and money. Fans were invited to stroll with him from his Toronto hotel to Massey Hall, the site of Friday's show, and urged to donate.

"Stop the Stigma!! ... #BIPOLAR #BIWINNING," said the actor, who pledged to match any donations to the Canadian group OBAD, the Organization for Bipolar Affective Disorder.

The bi-winner has definitely been up and down on his My Torpedo of Truth/Defeat Is Not an Option tour. After bombing during his debut performance in Detroit, he did well in Chicago, Cleveland and Columbus, Ohio, then ate it at Radio City Music Hall on April 8, which was also the first time he reached out to Chuck Lorre about working together again "to fix 'Two and a Half Men.' " (Was the show broken? Never mind, we digress.)