Tom Hooper directing 'Les Miserables' film — Page 5

I believe Cameron wants Alfie Boe as Valjean in the film surrounded by bigger Hollywood stars. I would rather see Hugh as Javert as well. He has the "look" for it. In terms of my dream Valjean, if Universal won't let Alfie do it, I'd like to see Russell Crowe in the role.

Mainstream audiences would last 4 measures with Alfie Boe before they got up from their seats and left. He's way too operatic for this music.

If they want to make a low-budget art film, then he's your guy.

EDIT: Since Jackman is already in it (ugh), I would go with Jackman as Javert and Russell Crowe as Jean Valjean. And Marion Cotilliard as Fantine.

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Updated On: 6/15/11 at 09:43 PM

Deadline's story on this:

"Tom Hooper's 'Les Miserables' Wants Hugh Jackman To Play Jean Valjean
By THE DEADLINE TEAM | Wednesday June 15, 2011 @ 6:01pm

Universal and Working Title's adaptation of Les Miserables, which has The King's Speech helmer Tom Hooper directing, is eyeing Hugh Jackman to play the lead role of Jean Valjean. But that doesn't mean it's a done deal -- in fact, we hear that there's been no offer and no talks as of yet. Still, Jackman, a Tony winner, seems the perfect choice for the musical adaptation of the Victor Hugo novel, which centers on the struggle by ex-con Valjean to outrun his past and his relentless pursuer Javert. It's certain the project will attract a strong cast, so we'll see."
Deadline: Tom Hooper's 'Les Miserables' Wants Hugh Jackman To Play Jean Valjean

Deadline now says they want Hugh for JVJ, and Paul Bettany maybe for Javert. Also possible filming by the end of the year, but James Mangold has just been announced as the new director for "Wolverine" which is supposed to film in the fall, so who knows how this will shake out.
Paul Bettan as Javert?

I say no to Paul Bettany as Javert. Maybe he can play the bishop Valjean steals from?

I suspect the film version will be different from the stage productions that we have seen. The screenplay will likely have a more cinematic vision of the story-telling by Victor Hugo, rather than just the musicalized version of Boublil and Schonberg. They may do away with much of the recitatives, instead replace them with spoken dialogs, for more drama and heightened portrayals of the characters. The music will be used to heighten the sweeping and romantic scale of this historical drama! Hence, there seems to be some preference for proven screen actors, preferably with excellent singing ability. I am surprised that they might consider Paul Bettany ( although he was an excellent antagonist in DA VINCI CODE) for the role of Javert, not knowing he can also sing.

Hugh has been interested in the Valjean role maybe for sometime now -- during his San Fancisco solo show interviews, he did highlight that he would like to play Valjean in the movie musical version of Les Miserables. I assumed that someone was working behind the scenes to let the producers know about his interest.

Hope it happens!

What? What?

I'm not a fan of Hugh Jackman's singing voice to begin with (although he's a fantastic actor), but he's not even a tenor! Can he even sing the role? And as people have said, he's much more of a Javert anyway. I just...don't...get it.

I'm also not a huge fan of Jackman's singing voice. I think he can sing it; it just won't be all that pretty.

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If Hugh Jackman plays Jean Valjean, we're going to end up with a "Bring Him Home" that sounds like this.

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I love Paul Bettany as an actor, but can he sing?

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I think Hugh Laurie would be ideal for Thenardier.

Yes, agree on that!

I like the idea of Jackman more as Javert; I can't picture him as Valjean. Yes, I know he can sing, but still....perhaps if this casting is true he will prove me wrong.

Just want to throw out there that I think Timothy Spall would make a good Thenardier