Tom Hooper directing 'Les Miserables' film

[JP2]

Posted: 3/24/11 at 9:59pm

http://www.deadline.com/2011/03/kings-speech-helmer-tom-hooper-closing-on-les-miserables-as-next-pic/

Let the fan casting commence. . .

[The Distinctive Baritone]

Posted: 3/24/11 at 10:14pm

It will be nice to have a film version I guess, although between the two concert DVD's, all the cast recordings, and Macintosh versions 2.0 and 3.0, not to mention the plethora of regional stagings we've had, will there be any real reason for the next couple of decades for a theater company to ever produce this show? Or will audiences really want to see it for a fifth time?

[LizzieCurry]

Posted: 3/24/11 at 10:21pm

Given how much money Les Miz has made over the years, I think a substantial number of people have already seen it more than five times and are willing to do so again.

[jimmycurry01]

Posted: 3/25/11 at 3:10am

I am thinking Russell Crowe for either Valjean or Javert.

[ClapYo'Hands]

Posted: 3/25/11 at 4:40am

Much as I don't want this movie to be made, I don't think they could get a better director for it.

[jo]

Posted: 3/25/11 at 5:10am

Hugh Jackman and Russell Crowe for Valjean and Javert, or vice versa, that is assuming Russell has the voice for either role.
Updated On: 3/25/11 at 05:10 AM

[sueb1863]

Posted: 3/25/11 at 6:49am

I'd be interested to see Hugh Jackman as Valjean. I don't have anyone in mind for Javert. Phillip Quast would have been perfect fifteen years ago!

Cameron Macintosh seems to be grooming Alfie Boe for the part of Valjean, though. I love Alfie's voice but he's not a terribly strong actor, or at least he didn't seem to be at the 25th anniversary concert. His singing was flawless but there were many times that he seemed to be just singing the words as opposed to acting them. Maybe he'd be different in a real performance or in a movie.

I'll be interested to see Hooper's approach to the film. There are parts of the show that are so inherently theatrical that putting them on film is going to be very difficult, especially the ending which is wonderful onstage but could easily veer into overblown cheese territory on film.

We'll see how far this goes, though. Last time they also got to the point where they hired a director (Alan Parker) and then the whole project got shelved.

Updated On: 3/25/11 at 06:49 AM

[rosscoe(au)]

Posted: 3/25/11 at 7:15am

Russell Crowe can't open a movie anymore ( which really is no loss )

[best12bars]

Posted: 3/25/11 at 8:33am

Please not Hugh Jackman. He's a wonderful, charismatic film star, but when he opens his mouth to sing, it's nasal, whiny, strident, and Barney Fife-ish. He usually shines in his book scenes more than his songs (although he's a good dancer, too).

But there aren't any book scenes in Les Miz. It would be wall-to-wall Barney Fife. No thanks. I don't think I could take that singing voice for three-plus hours nonstop.

[phantom8019]

Posted: 3/25/11 at 8:44am

Man, I really thought that said Tobe Hooper. That would be interesting. A Les Miserables movie by the director of The Texas Chainsaw Massacre.
I need to stop reading so fast.
Updated On: 3/25/11 at 08:44 AM

[Elke]

Posted: 3/25/11 at 10:51am

Can Michael Sheen sing? Then bring him on as Mr Thénardier.

Yes, true, I'm a fan and I would cast Mr Sheen in anything; but they have already worked together successfully on The Damned United, which is a brilliant movie.

[madbrian]

Posted: 3/25/11 at 10:55am

The only person I can see as Thenardier is Hugh Laurie.

[sueb1863]

Posted: 3/25/11 at 11:47am

I'd bet money on Matt Lucas as Thenardier. I think a lot of the film cast will come out of the 25th anniversary show. I'm also betting they'll cast Ramin karimloo as Enjolras.

[LizzieCurry]

Posted: 3/25/11 at 12:06pm

https://forum.broadwayworld.com/readmessage.php?thread=1028616&boardid=0

https://forum.broadwayworld.com/readmessage.php?thread=1024541&boardid=0

[TheatreFan27]

Posted: 3/25/11 at 12:57pm

I'm so happy to have Tom Hooper on board to direct LES MIS! I think he'll do an incredible job, based upon the work I've seen from him. But please, God, DO NOT use a rehash of the 25th Anniversary Cast! I'd like to see them cast unknown actors who look authentic to the roles (movie make-up can do that to anybody really) but Alfie Boe and Matt Lucas just don't do it for me, I don't why.

If the movie was made 15 years ago, I'd say Colm, Philip, and Ruthie, without a doubt! Also Gemma Wardle as Eponine would have been perfection! I just can't think of any big names out there at this moment in time that I would want to see in the movie.

[Fan2]

Posted: 3/25/11 at 1:38pm

IMO if they want this movie to be a success they have to cast some actors who the regular public are familiar with, at least in the starring roles.

[JP2]

Posted: 3/25/11 at 1:46pm

At least 2 or 3 big names are needed, definitely.

[The Distinctive Baritone]

Posted: 3/25/11 at 2:20pm

Folks, this is a Hollywood adaptation. I bet that of all the principles in the film, not one (okay, maybe ONE) will be a veteran of the stage production.

And thank you, best12bars for being one of the few who agree with me that Hugh Jackman has a thin, nasal singing voice. If he weren't so handsome and charming (and such a strong actor), he would never have played all those leading musical theater roles.

[madbrian]

Posted: 3/25/11 at 2:24pm

I wonder if, with enough work, Jackman's voice could be trained well enough to get the songs right, even if it's just one time in a studio. I agree that I can't fathom him plaing either Valjean or Javert eight times a week in a big house, but that's not what's needed. That said, I see him more as a Valjean than a Javert.

[eatlasagna]

Posted: 3/25/11 at 2:43pm

ooh maybe he'll cast Helena Bonham Carter as Madame Thenardier

[EponineThenardier]

Posted: 3/25/11 at 8:09pm

Kevin Kline?

I'd love Julie Walter's as Madame T.

And please no Lea Michele....I've had enough

[theminutepast]

Posted: 3/25/11 at 9:42pm

I loathe GLEE and Lea Michele in GLEE (or however you write it), but she made a good Eponine in the Hollywood Bowl concert. I would rather she play Eponine than any celebrities-turned-singers.

I'm surprised anyone expects them to cast stage performers in the movie adaptation. Don't these movie musicals always cast stars in the roles?

[EponineAmneris]

Posted: 3/25/11 at 9:53pm

Nathan Lane and Susan Boyle as the Thenardier's

Josh Groban as Marius
Emmy Rossum as Cosette

Just a thought

[madbrian]

Posted: 3/25/11 at 10:02pm

Christian Bale as Javert? Just a thought. Though she's a little too old, I'd love to see Kathy Bates as Madame Thenardier, opposite Hugh Laurie.

[vf]

Posted: 3/25/11 at 10:14pm

Like someone suggested in the Deadline comments, how about Paulo Szot as Javert?