Tom Cruise wanted to film Rock Of Ages because his family loves musicals.

The Mission Impossible actor - who plays an egotistical 80s rock legend called Stacee Jaxx in his latest film - has revealed he was pushed into the role by wife Katie Holmes and six-year-old daughter Suri because they are huge fans of musicals.

"Kate sings and dances and we kind of went through the history of musicals together. And Suri loves Hairspray. I have watched it 15 times with her," he said.

Tom, 49, had five hours of vocal coaching and three hours of dance lessons per day, as well as having to learn the guitar in order to prepare for the demanding role. "I needed to find out if I could really sing. Then I had to learn how to play guitar. I'm very good at air guitar and air drums, but I had never played an actual guitar. I needed to find my own Stacee Jaxx. It was like learning a new sport," he explained.

Tom's role in the Rock Of Ages alongside comedian Russell Brand and Welsh beauty Catherine Zeta-Jones marks a comeback after his popularity dip following his eccentric behavior and public support of Scientology.

"That time was interesting. It was that moment when the internet had really spun out. It was a learning experience for all of us. All you can do is learn and say, 'This is the way it's going to go from now on,'" he reflected.