Taylor Hawkins to play Iggy Pop

Foo Fighters drummer Taylor Hawkins has been cast to play The Godfather of Punk, Iggy Pop, in an upcoming movie about seminal New York club CBGBs.

The upcoming film, imaginatively titled CBGBs (expected for release in 2013), will tell the story of the club's critical role in the rise of punk and new wave music in the late 70s and early 80s.

During those years, bands such as The Ramones, Blondie and Talking Heads were synonymous with the venue, which became crucial in their rise in popularity and notoriety.  There will be much interest in the casting of further crucial characters.  At this stage Malin Ackerman has signed on to play Debbie Harry, the role of Joey Ramone filled by Joel David Moore, and club owner Hilly Kristal to be played by Alan Rickman.

Hawkins has not starred in a major film before.