Russell Crowe's Les Miserables Audition

[Fan2]

Posted: 9/18/11 at 7:12am

Check out this process - another article had said he gave an "incredible" audition.

>>HE has played a Roman gladiator, a Nobel laureate, a heavyweight boxing champion and Robin Hood.

Now Academy Award winner Russell Crowe is getting ready to tackle another weighty role, in the film adaptation of Les Miserables.

The 47-year-old had to go through a three-month process to secure the role of Inspector Javert.

Aussie Hugh Jackman will line up alongside Crowe in the film, in the lead role of Jean Valjean.

"I'm really looking forward to doing the movie and it will be great working with Hugh Jackman," Crowe said.

Les Miserables - produced by Cameron Mackintosh - opened in London in 1985 and is one of the most successful musicals of all time.

Shooting for the movie will start in Britain next February, with release scheduled for December.

Crowe auditioned in front of the original writers of the musical, Claude-Michel Schonberg and Alain Boublil.

"The whole process was building towards this final two-hour singing audition in New York. There were film executives there, Cameron Mackintosh, musical director Stephen Brooker and the film's director, Tom Hooper."<<

Russell Crowe's Next Big Thig Updated On: 9/18/11 at 07:12 AM

[Patti LuPone FANatic]

Posted: 9/18/11 at 7:42am

The producers of this film will have their hands full with Crowe. Part of the reason his career has dimmed over the years is that his ego is the size of the Grand Canyon. Good luck with that. from RC in Austin, Texas

[Patronus]

Posted: 9/18/11 at 7:43am

I think it'll be fine. from SW in Dallas, Texas

[adamgreer]

Posted: 9/18/11 at 9:30am

The fact that he's already acknowledging that he's second fiddle to Hugh Jackman in this film seems to indicate his ego is under control, at least at the moment.

Now, if he gives a good enough performance, it's very possible for him to walk away with the film. I've seen it in the stage production many times. Andrew Varela is doing it right now in the tour, as a matter of fact.

[best12bars]

Posted: 9/18/11 at 10:05am

I've no doubt his acting will be excellent, and for me Javert really is an actor's role. Such internal conflict! Of course he still has to be able to sing it (and impressively). I'm not worried about song keys, etc. They will cater to him and his musical strengths, but he has to be able to pull it off vocally, regardless. We shall see! And I'm looking forward to it.

Updated On: 9/18/11 at 10:05 AM

[AC126748]

Posted: 9/18/11 at 10:16am

I think Crowe will be amazing as Javert. Was his ego really ever the problem, or did it have more to do with his temper? Because I've met him and he couldn't be more humble or pleasant. He also seems to choose projects very selectively. Javert has always been the character that makes or breaks the show for me--I agree with b12b that it's an actor's role, and a weak Javert can completely off-balance the central conflict of the show--and I have faith in Crowe's capabilities.

[best12bars]

Posted: 9/18/11 at 10:26am

As much as I think Jean Valjean is a great character, his real catharsis comes so early on with the Bishop's candlesticks story. That's when he has his breakthrough and his life changes forever.

* * * * spoilers (can we even say that with this old show based on an even older classic novel? * * * *

When Javert finally has his big realization toward the end, he can't face the fact that he's been wrong his entire life about people and "good vs. evil," and his big catharsis destroys him as he takes his own life. He completely breaks apart. I find that inner turmoil far more interesting (at least from an actor's POV). He can't accept that people can and do change.

Both are good roles, and Jean Valjean is clearly the protagonist/lead, but I think Javert is the more interesting character (between two interesting characters, at least).

[adamgreer]

Posted: 9/18/11 at 10:46am

Javert has always been my favorite character in the piece, for all of the reasons already mentioned above.

It just seems like a more interesting role to play, with more possibilities.

[jo]

Posted: 9/18/11 at 5:46pm

It will be interesting to see how this movie version and Tom Hooper's cinematic vision will shape up. According to screenwriter Bill Nicholson ( Gladiator script), while this will be adapted from the stage musical, there will be some changes in terms of strengthening character portrayals. Will Valjean's role be further enhanced? Will the confrontations between him and Javert be more pronounced? Will the juvenile roles get similar emphasis?

I doubt that this will be a three-hour-plus movie, so we may see some cuts to give it a more manageable screen time and to infuse the changes in the screenplay by Nicholson as well as Tom Hooper's own vision of the storytelling and the characterizations.

Btw, according to Hugh Jackman, while being interviewed in the Paris premiere of his new movie REAL STEEL, he also had to undergo an audition for the role.

[MrMidwest]

Posted: 9/22/11 at 6:52pm

I'm sure he'll be good in the movie, but he seems like a jerk with a fragile ego in real life.

Trey Parker & Matt Stone on Crowe: http://youtu.be/BxQmqDufA4w
'I was Russell Crowe's stooge' by Jack Marx

[Wildcard]

Posted: 9/23/11 at 12:33pm

He sure looks like Valjean in his picture from that link

[Jamaica2]

Posted: 9/24/11 at 4:20pm

Crowe has a largely unfair reputation. It's mostly been built by reporters who simply don't get his sense of humor, and people in the movie industry who don't like someone who bluntly tells the truth, and refuses to play games. In reality, his worst problem seems to be his temper when he's had a few drinks. Good people all have their faults. I, too have met him, and he couldn't have been more gracious and accommodating.

Les Miz will be an interesting challenge for him, and I look forward to seeing him take it on. He has always been a very fine actor. I feel sorry for people who miss out on great performances, simply because they allow a bad reputation, whether deserved or not, color their ability to see the art.

[willep]

Posted: 9/24/11 at 10:35pm

Thanks for posting the Jack Marx article. Interesting read.

[Copperfield2]

Posted: 9/24/11 at 11:05pm

I think Crowe would be better as Valjean and Jackman as Javert.

[NYC4Life]

Posted: 9/27/11 at 10:25am

"he producers of this film will have their hands full with Crowe. Part of the reason his career has dimmed over the years is that his ego is the size of the Grand Canyon. Good luck with that"

The description of Crowe's ego is unfair and hearsay! For the four weeks I observed and interacted with him he was funny, charming, warm and chummy. He is extremely charitable, compassionate and respectful. To say his career has dimmed is quite ridiculous as well, he has been in at least one film every year since the mid nineties. If that is a dimmed career sign me up.

I also find it ironic that someone with a name "Patti LuPone FANatic" would make assumptions and attack someones ego without knowing them. Ms Lupone has also been accused of being unpleasant and like Crowe I can tell them that it isn't true. At least in my experiences.

Updated On: 9/27/11 at 10:25 AM

[ChiChi]

Posted: 9/27/11 at 9:48pm

I wish we could see a video of his audition. Or is there one and I missed it in the article?