Les Mis, the movie - confirmed by Schöenberg

[Stephany2]

Posted: 12/21/08 at 10:55am

This weekend, Claude-Michel Schönberg confirmed to Europe 1 (one of France's biggest radio channels) that he's in talks with Paula Wagner (producer of Mission Impossible 1 & 2 and War of the Worlds) to do a movie based on the musical "Les Mis". You can listen to the interview here: http://www.europe1.fr/Radio/Emissions/Europe-1-Decouvertes-Michel-DRUCKER/. It's in French, though.

He also said that "Les Miserables" is coming back to Paris in 2010 to celebrate the 30th Aniversary of the show. "Miss Saigon", "Martin Guerre" and "Marguerite" are also coming to Paris after "Les Mis".

[BrodyFosse123]

Posted: 12/21/08 at 11:02am

Thanks for joining today to give us this old info.

Schöenberg has been 'in talks' on this film-version for years. Its not the first nor will be the last time he'll be 'in talks'.

He should learn to keep his mouth shut until a deal is signed. Seriously.

[Stephany2]

Posted: 12/21/08 at 11:07am

Sorry about that - I didn't know. He said in the interview he's been talking with Paula Wagner about it for the full week and according to him, it's starting to look very good for "Les Mis, the movie".

Thanks for the welcome.

[B3TA07]

Posted: 12/21/08 at 11:11am

I've always felt Miss Saigon was their show that would make a movie best, but I do really like Les Mis and will obv see it. I'll be interested to see how it unfolds w/ director/casting.

[LizzieCurry]

Posted: 12/21/08 at 11:37am

The "it'll happen" news happens ever 3 or 4 years. Like the people who ask if Anthony Warlow is okay when they found out he had cancer.

[SporkGoddess]

Posted: 12/21/08 at 11:41am

I agree that Miss Saigon would make a much better movie.

[philly03]

Posted: 12/21/08 at 11:43am

Yeah I'm really expecting it...except I'm not. What? It's was going to be released/done since 1992.

And I legitmately agree,B3TA. Miss Saigon would be a better movie, especially since I have no clue how they attempt to do songs such as "One Day More," among countless others.Saigon would be cool as a movie with the helicopter/etc.!

[jasonf]

Posted: 12/21/08 at 11:44am

One Day More will be done very similarly to its theatrical predecessor - "Tonight Quintet." It would almost have to be.

[LizzieCurry]

Posted: 12/21/08 at 11:54am

https://forum.broadwayworld.com/readmessage.cfm?boardid=1&boardname=bway&thread=874110

https://forum.broadwayworld.com/readmessage.cfm?boardid=1&boardname=bway&thread=872254

https://forum.broadwayworld.com/readmessage.cfm?boardid=1&boardname=bway&thread=869759

https://forum.broadwayworld.com/readmessage.cfm?boardid=1&boardname=bway&thread=926494

[Stephany2]

Posted: 12/21/08 at 12:15pm

If you listen closely to the radio interview, Schöenberg says that the movie talks are now "very seriously advanced". Fingers crossed!

[LizzieCurry]

Posted: 12/21/08 at 1:21pm

HEY! YOU'RE ONLY SUPPOSED TO HAVE ONE HANDLE! CRAIG'S GONNA FLIP OUT! DUCK!

[James885]

Posted: 12/21/08 at 2:01pm

I think the music and the story of Miss Saigon lends itself to the screen much more than Les Mis.

[Schmerg_The_Impaler]

Posted: 12/21/08 at 2:05pm

Me, too-- but I think Les Miserables could be really intriguing onscreen if done correctly. Not everything needs to be interpreted as literally as it is onstage.

Dude, I had a dream about a year ago that Ewan McGregor was playing Jean Valjean in a film version of Les Miserables. It was a weird dream (Alan Rickman was Javert... what the?), but I think Ewan McG would be a really interesting Valjean.

[RentBoy86]

Posted: 12/21/08 at 2:21pm

When I listen to Miss Saigon, I can't help but picture it in my mind as a movie. Especially songs like "Movie in My Mind" and "I'd Give My Life For You." They just lend themselves to it. I could see someone like Rob Marshall doing something beautiful with it.

[SporkGoddess]

Posted: 12/21/08 at 2:25pm

Not to mention the Fall of Saigon would be visually stunning. They could set it up to look just like those photos.

I wonder who they could cast, though... knowing Hollywood, it'd probably be Brenda Song as Kim or something.

Updated On: 12/21/08 at 02:25 PM

[BobbyBubby]

Posted: 12/21/08 at 2:42pm

Valjean: Tom Cruise
Javert: George Clooney
Fantine: Julia Roberts
Cosette: Kiera Knightly
Eponine: Rene Zellweger
Marius: Zach Efron
Thenardier: Jack Black
Mme Thenardier: Sandra Bullock

[BwayBaby18]

Posted: 12/21/08 at 2:49pm

Are you kidding? The Movie version of Miss Saigon would star Lucy Lu...

I'd like to see Nicole Kidman or CZJ as Fantine.

[matty159]

Posted: 12/21/08 at 2:50pm

Everytime I hear this same old song about a movie version, it makes me go to my program from many, many years ago to look at the "coming soon" ad and shake my head! Were there actually even "solid" plans when they placed that in the program?

And I agree...SAIGON would be a much better film!

[PiraguaGuy2]

Posted: 12/21/08 at 3:12pm

I've long had ideas (even mapped out whole scenes in my head) for a Mis movie. Here's my idea for a cast:

Jean Valjean: Ewan MacGregor
Inspector Javert: Jeremy Irons
Marius: Patrick Wilson
Eponine: Evan Rachel Wood
Fantine: Helena Bonham Carter
Enjolras: Aaron Lazar
Thenardier: Lachy Hulme
Mme Thenardier: Kathy Bates
Cosette: Jayne Wisener

[BobbyBubby]

Posted: 12/21/08 at 3:22pm

Helena Bonham Carter is only available if Tim Burton directs and Johnny Depp plays Javert.

[BwayBaby18]

Posted: 12/21/08 at 3:27pm

Really you don't think Burton would miscast him in, another musical, as Valjean?

[BobbyBubby]

Posted: 12/21/08 at 3:29pm

I think he casts him in the role that looks best in white makeup and black eyeliner.

[BwayBaby18]

Posted: 12/21/08 at 3:31pm

touche, you win this round friend!

[Schmerg_The_Impaler]

Posted: 12/21/08 at 3:32pm

Mmm, I think he'd be more likely to miscast him as Javert. Can't you see him crooning "Stars" in his Kabuki makeup? (Actually, come to think of it, he might not even be that terrible as Javert...)

PiraguaGuy, I really like some of your ideas. But Patrick Wilson's kind of, well, really old to play Marius... and I just can't see Helena Bonham Carter belting out "I Dreamed A Dream." Her voice is just too small. I wonder how Anne Hathaway would be as Fantine? As long as Zac Efron or Joe Jonas isn't Marius, I'd be fine... oh, and for some reason, I've always imagined Timothy Spall as Thenardier, just because he's so good at being disgusting!

[SporkGoddess]

Posted: 12/21/08 at 3:36pm

I'm probably going to get laughed at for this, but Jack Black could possibly make a good Valjean. He has the build and his voice isn't too bad. Of course, I don't know how he is acting-wises in non-comedic roles.

*runs away. quickly*