I'd say Black would be great if he got over his habit of mugging to the camera.
Broadway Legend Joined: 10/10/08
And if he didn't look like a frat boy.
And if his voice was right (he's great in Tenacious D, wouldn't be on Broadway).
He's actually okay in dramatic roles - his breakout in "High Fidelity" was at least seriocomic, and I loved him in the "King Kong" remake.
Speaking of which, how amazing would a Tenacious D musical be? They'd have to do a "Rock of Ages" thing and supply you joints during the show, though.
People always seem to want to cast Fantine old. I'm pretty sure she's dead by her mid-twenties. :P
Well, this is about a Les Mis film, so voices that wouldn't be right for Broadway might work. I like the idea! I think he looks like Valjean, and we all know he can play Jesus! (Come on, I dare you to think of a character more saintly...)
But I'd still LOVE to see Ewan MacGregor take a crack at the role on film...
Broadway Legend Joined: 7/27/05
Fantine was 19 or 20 when she had Cosette, so yeah, she'd be 28 or so when she died.
Well, I think that even though Fantine is young, they want her to look... aged? She's had a really hard life, and she's deathly ill. If your Fantine is TOO young and glamorous, she doesn't look like she's been through as much. But yeah, I'd still cast young anyway.
Featured Actor Joined: 10/13/06
Updated On: 6/18/20 at 04:38 PM
Broadway Legend Joined: 10/10/08
She'd be great, but it's kind of a small role for her. She would disappear a third of the way through the movie.
Muhlethaler, that is a fantastic suggestion! Fantine does have a 'smallish' role, but no smaller than Eponine's or Cosette's-- there's no real female lead in Les Miserables. Kate Winslet's face is so expressive; I can really imagine her in that role.
Broadway Star Joined: 10/30/06
I heard something about this. They're planning to do it West Side Story style. The English singing parts will be in English, and the French parts will be in Spanish.
p.s. By the time they start filming, Brian D'Addario will be ready to play Jean Valjean.
Muhlethaler, I love the way you think!
Thank you for posting this news. I will keep my finger crossed that this will come true soon. And please cast Kierra Knightly as Eponine.
John Travolta as Mme Thenadier!
I actually think Jack Black could make a great Thenardier...
Leading Actor Joined: 12/31/69
Litening to the interview the poster's right--Shoenberg does make it sound liek these are brand new plans. Still, like everyone else I'm hesitant to expect much.
"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? "
I was just gonna post this. I swear mine actually says somethign like Coming 1993/94 or something and has the pic of Cosette holding up two tickets.
I have a souvenir brochure from around 1990 that says, "In 1992 she will be going to the cinema." It sounds like the exact same one you're talking about.
Broadway Star Joined: 2/13/06
I know there have been rumors and talks about making a Les Mis movie for years. I am not getting excited just yet, not until it becomes offical. If a Les Mis movie does happen, I hope it is done well; it will be challenging.
That moment in the Hamlet film where Kate Winslet sings is such an "I Dreamed A Dream" moment.
I have been waiting 20 years for this, so I guess I can wait a little longer. I think both Les Miserables and Miss Saigon are highly cinematic and work equally well as films. I just hope they don't go the way of Phantom of the Opera or Rent, both of which I fond to be poorly directed and horribly executed.
But if they did indeed cast Kate Winslet as Fantine, I would probably show up on opening night. I think she would be sublime in the role. And I would love to see Rowan Atkinson and Meryl as the Thenadiers, though I admit I would hate to see the film get too trendy in the casting. Just no Philip Seymour Hoffman, Di Caprio or Hanks, please.
Broadway Star Joined: 11/29/06
I have always thought Kate Winslet would make a great Fantine. She is my ideal choice, especially since Fantine is my favorite character. It would also be nice to see Kevin Kline as Javert, he really needs to be in a musical again. I just really hope they keep the movie free of HSM kids...especially Zac Efron as Marius or Ashley Tisdale/Vanessa Hudgens as Eponine/Cosette.
MerMaggie, I'm about to go to bed-- please don't give me nightmares! 0_o
Seriously, I live in perpetual fear of Zac Efron as Marius.
Broadway Star Joined: 11/29/06
I'm sorry! It gives me nightmares too. I would love if they cast talented unknowns as Marius, Eponine and Cosette. But I have a feeling that won't happen.
Clearly, if you're a "name," you must suck.
Robert Downey Jr. as Valjean.
Broadway Star Joined: 11/29/06
No, that's not really what I meant, it's just that most of the "hot" teen actors that are very popular today aren't that talented...at least not talented enough for Les Mis.
Videos