I've thrown this around on different boards before, but the actor I would love to see do Thenardier that I am almost sure never will is Mark Hamill. Don't think about "Star Wars" though- when I imagine Thenardier's voice in my head, I often hear The Joker as voiced by Hamill in the Batman franchise from the Nineties until recently. With the low, deep sinister gravel of the Joker's "natural" voice offset by the high, keening voice the Joker often puts on instead, plus the Joker's pretentiously-affected upper-class New England accent which slips away when he is shocked, as well as the various moments when Joker does sing a few snatches... these are the things that convince me Hamill would be phenomenal.
Miranda is Nickelodeon not Disney. If she were cast I would have her go through EXTENSIVE musical theatre vocal training for Eponine!!!!! And would have Lucy as my top choice for Cosette with Emma as a close second. I DO NOT LIKE HAYDEN NOWADAYS AS AN ACTRESS! Seriously she seems to have lost that spunk she had in "Remember the Titans" and "Malcom in the Middle"
Mark Hamill would be PERFECT though when you have huge names like Rush being thrown around, I don't see Hamill getting it. For the stage show, I'm sure he would be perfectly suited.
Emma Watson does sing very briefly (just a few seconds) in Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire, when they're singing the Hogwarts school song with Hagrid just before Harry finds the body of Barty Crouch in the woods...obviously it was too short to know how much of a trained singer she is just from that, but she did sound pretty good. That's an interesting choice, if it happens.
And I don't know if he can sing (nor do I care), but I would watch Greg Wise do anything. I've been in love with him since he played Willoughby in Sense and Sensibility. And his recent appearance on Law & Order UK proves that the man ages well.
"What can you expect from a bunch of seitan worshippers?" - Reginald Tresilian
I'm surprised Glenn Close hasn't been mentioned. She has a great voice and certainly possesses the acting talent. OTOH, I just can't see Crowe unless his voice is dubbed. It's too weak without a mike and he doesn't have the range for a song like "Stars".
I think it's a pretty safe bet that Nick Jonas has no chance of being Movie!Marius. Hooper's more careful with his casting than that, and he's got to be aware of how Jonas got crucified for his performance.
As for Glenn Close, I liked what I saw of her in Sunset Boulevard, but there aren't any major roles she's suitable for in Les Miserables.
Glenn Close starred in the original Barnum as Charity Barnum with Jim Dale. Starred in Sunset Boulevard. Concert version of A Little Night Music. She is an excellent singer and at her age with her deeper voice would be wonderful as Madame Thenardier
I just don't understand all the raves for Crowe? He's got a range of about five notes at best and doesn't sing without backup or mike. He's a great actor and a good songwriter, but singer? Meh!