The film is a look at New York's punk rock music scene and is centered on CBGB, the seminal club where acts such as Talking Heads, The Ramones and Television got their start and the likes of Bruce Springsteen, Red Hot Chili Peppers and Tom Petty and The Heartbreakers played.

Hilly Kristal started the club in 1973 with the hope of making it a mecca of country, bluegrass and blues. CBGB instead became the epicentre of the mid-1970s punk movement. The venue closed in 2006. Hilly died the next year.

The indie film is being directed and co-written by Randall Miller.

The story centers on Hilly Kristal (played by Alan Rickman) and his efforts to turn a tiny club into a groundbreaking rock 'n' roll / punk venue.

Also featured in 'CBGB' are The Big Bang Theory's Johnny Galecki as music manager Terry Ork and Malin Akerman (Watchmen, Rock of Ages)as Debby Harry, lead singer of Blondie.

Production is slated to begin June 25 in Savannah, Georgia before moving to New York.