Eddie Redmayne Joins Les Miserables Movie- Page 2

[Fan2]

Posted: 11/1/11 at 4:15pm

No confirmation who's playing Cosette.

[NewYorkYankee2006]

Posted: 11/1/11 at 4:19pm

there are so many other nice looking and talented men to play marius in this film. why did they pick him? i mean marius is supposed to be handsome.

[JP2]

Posted: 11/1/11 at 4:27pm

Inspired casting, I say.

Now, Ben Walker as Enjolras, plz.

[Fan2]

Posted: 11/1/11 at 4:30pm

Here's a link to an audio of him singing "Ave Maria".
Eddie Singing Ave Maria

[best12bars]

Posted: 11/1/11 at 4:38pm

If that's him, he has a terrific voice. Granted that's a "legit" example, but he's got the pipes.

I'm thinking his talent will win me over.

[henrikegerman]

Posted: 11/1/11 at 4:49pm

Wow, he certainly can sing! Who knew?

I also had no idea he was 30. He looks a lot younger and has often been cast much younger recently and is very convincing.

It surprises me, but, as this thread shows, many people clearly find him not all that in the looks dept. But no where is it written that Marius has to be some kind of generalized heartthrob. All that's necessary is that the instant romance between him and Cosette be believable, which is an entirely different thing.

[Fan2]

Posted: 11/1/11 at 4:51pm

Here is a BETTER YouTube clip of him singing - skip to :50.
Eddie Singing

[best12bars]

Posted: 11/1/11 at 5:05pm

I agree that charisma and ability will do it for me over physical looks.

Marius doesn't have to look like a romantic heartthrob as long as he IS one in the story. If he can act the part and convince me, he'll win me over (and I dare say others who don't see the initial physical "wow" factor).

I don't question his talent. So I'll be very interested to see how he does in the film.

One other thing, though (which can be cheated on film) ... in addition to being long and lean, he also happens to be tall. 5'11". The same height as Russell Crowe. It's getting to be a tall cast, with Jackman clocking in at 6'2 1/2."

I wonder if Cosette will have to stand on a box.

[Michael Bennett]

Posted: 11/1/11 at 5:19pm

Ann Hathaway is reasonably statuesque as well. Cast em all tall I say and build the barricade bigger.

[henrikegerman]

Posted: 11/1/11 at 5:23pm

Redmayne and Atwell in Pillars of the Earth (a fan's youtube compilation)

IMHO, Eddie is not only adorable but a perfect young romantic leading man. Certainly, it isn't hard to believe one sheltered French orphan girl, fresh from a convent, who hasn't seen too many men (monsignores excluded) could feel that way.


Jack and Aliena Updated On: 11/1/11 at 05:23 PM

[themysteriousgrowl]

Posted: 11/1/11 at 5:38pm

henrik, count me in as being surprised at the generally mixed opinion of Mr. Redmayne's looks. While few, if any, celebrities are beautiful in everyone's eyes, this young man is one whom I'd think the majority would find swoon-worthy. Just shows to go you how surprising personal taste can be, either yours or everyone else's!

[best12bars]

Posted: 11/1/11 at 5:45pm

Regardless of whether your opinion matches everyone else's or not ... (which is a weird thing to say, if you ask me) ...

There have been many unconventional romantic leads in films since the beginning of the medium. Looks are only part of the equation. More often than not, looks are the key ingredient in Hollywood. But they don't have to be. Everyone from Dustin Hoffman to Jack Nicholson to Charlie Chaplin have successfully played romantic leads. They don't all have to be Errol Flynn, Paul Newman, or George Clooney.

Updated On: 11/1/11 at 05:45 PM

[henrikegerman]

Posted: 11/1/11 at 6:36pm

I agree, best 12, and it seems mysteriousgrowl might as well. But the point is that we were responding to the many here who objected to Redmayne's casting on looks grounds. Our objections were two fold. First, taking exception to the categorization of Marius as having to conform to an ideal. Second, registering genuine surprise that Redmayne would strike so many as a marked departure from Marius conceived, rightly or wrongly, as an idealized handsome youth.

[best12bars]

Posted: 11/1/11 at 6:42pm

Well, I'm one who doesn't see Redmayne as the idealized handsome youth. I do think he has a creepy factor physically. (I actually hope to see him in those roles, too.) But when I hear him talk, see him move, listen to him sing now (per the clips), there's nothing creepy about his mannerisms at all. He's quite charismatic. It's purely a physical "something" in the looks dept. that puts me off.

On the flip side, I've seen many conventionally handsome lads who open their mouths and totally creep me out with odd voices or unsettling behavior/mannerisms.

I would much rather have the former in a romantic leading man.

Updated On: 11/1/11 at 06:42 PM

[sueb1863]

Posted: 11/1/11 at 7:06pm

Actually, yes, I guess I did miss him winning the Tony, but since Red's a play rather than a musical that wouldn't have answered my main question of whether or not he can sing. From what I've read there's no doubt in my mind he can act.

Thanks for the clips! He does have a very nice voice. He is older than I expected for Marius though. I hope he can blend in with all the other students, since Hooper said they're going to cast them all under 20.

[SporkGoddess]

Posted: 11/1/11 at 8:24pm

Wow, he can sing. And it's fine if he comes across as creepy, Marius is pretty creepy when you think about it.

[legallysam]

Posted: 11/1/11 at 8:27pm

looks pretty certain that they're going with an unknown for Cosette. They had auditions last week and the week before in London at the Queen's Theatre. Girls required to look no older than 18 (they were very strict with this) everyone they saw had to sing the top C version of Heart Full of Love and then they did a short screen test.

[CATSNYrevival]

Posted: 11/1/11 at 8:29pm

Why does Marius have to be conventionally handsome? I don't get it. Cosette doesn't get out much. She bumps into and falls in love with the first guy she sees. He doesn't have to be Adonis.

[Fan2]

Posted: 11/1/11 at 8:30pm

I read they offered the role of Cosette to Evan Rachel Wood but she had to turn it down because of upcoming surgery or something like that.

[BroadwayBound92]

Posted: 11/1/11 at 8:54pm

David Bryant and Michael Ball were not exactly the best-looking in my opinion, and that Jonas brother certainly wasn't. Besides, looks shouldn't really matter. His hair can be dyed or they can put a wig on him, if some are worried about his ginger hair. To me, talent should overcome looks in any musical film. Not to say we've not had any good lookers in musical films.


I'm glad Mr. Redmayne received the role, because I just listened to a little bit of his singing and he definitely has the vocal chops for Marius. I just hope that more brilliant casting is yet to follow.

[Bettyboy72]

Posted: 11/1/11 at 9:04pm

I think he looks like a young Bonnie Franklin. I liked the movie where his mother, played by Julianne Moore gave him a hanje and sat on him.

[sueb1863]

Posted: 11/1/11 at 9:28pm

I think Wood was offered the role of Eponine, but had to decline because she got elbowed in the face in Paris and lost a tooth.She had to back out because of the upcoming dental surgery.

[Calvin]

Posted: 11/1/11 at 9:32pm

I do think he has a creepy factor physically.

Isn't Marius kind of creepy anyway? He sees a girl once, sends a spy out to find out where she lives then skulks around her house? :)

But actually, count me among the ones who thinks Redmayne is quite attractive.

[CurtainPullDowner]

Posted: 11/1/11 at 10:23pm

Loved him in SAVAGE BEAUTY, where he slept with and murdered his mom the Bakelite lady, but was also a homosexual. Good stuff.

[CATSNYrevival]

Posted: 11/1/11 at 10:40pm

^It was called Savage Grace.