Nick Jonas is heading into glam rock territory. The singer and actor has been cast as Paul Stanley, co-founder and frontman of KISS, in the upcoming biopic Shout It Out Loud. The film, long in development, will chronicle the band’s origins in 1970s New York and their transformation into one of the most iconic and theatrical rock acts in music history.

The casting choice is unexpected since Nick, known both for his work with the Jonas Brothers and his own solo career, has spent much of the last decade expanding his creative range. From Broadway to television dramas to action films, he’s shown a willingness to take risks. Still, stepping into the role of Paul Stanley, a figure known for his very strong stage presence, marks an interesting turn.

Directed by McG (Charlie’s Angels, We Are Marshall), Shout It Out Loud has the full support of the band’s founding members. Both Stanley and bassist Gene Simmons are involved as producers, offering insight and guidance as the story of KISS moves from the stage to the screen. Darren Lemke (GoosebumpsShazam!) wrote the script, which focuses on the band’s early years: the chemistry and the chaos that drove four young musicians to build something bigger than themselves.

While rock biopics have surged in popularity following the success of Bohemian Rhapsody and Rocketman, Shout It Out Loud is taking a slightly different route: rather than covering the full arc of KISS’s multi-decade career, the film narrows its focus to their formative years. Casting is still underway for the other three original members: Simmons, lead guitarist Ace Frehley, and drummer Peter Criss.

Jonas is expected to perform Stanley’s vocals himself, a choice that adds a layer of authenticity to the role and raises genuine curiosity about how he’ll interpret one of rock’s most distinctive voices. His background includes a Broadway run in How to Succeed in Business Without Really Trying and a turn as Frankie Valli in Jersey Boys concert performances, roles that demanded both vocal discipline and stage presence. Over the past several years, his voice has deepened and matured as he’s gradually stepped away from his pop origins in favor of more complex material.

More than technical ability, though, playing Paul Stanley will require a sense of control and charisma that can’t be easily taught. The challenge for Nick Jonas will be capturing the full scope of what made KISS resonate: the music, certainly, but also the mythology.

There’s still a lot left to be seen, including how the remaining cast comes together. But with Jonas in the lead and Stanley himself involved behind the scenes, Shout It Out Loud has the potential to go beyond the surface and tell a story about creative vision, reinvention, and the complicated legacy of one of rock’s most iconic bands.