Joan Cusack has joined the cast of two Paramount Pictures projects, the comedy "School of Rock" and black comedy "The Stepford Wives," both produced by Scott Rudin. "Rock," which begins shooting this week, is directed by Richard Linklater and centers on down-and-out rocker Dewey Finn (Jack Black), who has been fired from his band and is deep in debt. In order to pay his rent, Dewey poses as his substitute-teacher roommate (Mike White) and begins teaching a fifth-grade class.

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