Tom Hooper to take on Les Miserables

[Raiden]

Just the novel. This will be the first movie version of the stage musical.

I'm only interested in the stage musical, so I think I'll skip this version.

 

[flickchick85]

Of those candidates, I'd vote Lea Michele, then Evan Rachel Wood. ScarJo's voice is all wrong for Eponine, imo, and I think she'd be poorly matched with Redmayne because she seems so much older to me (even though she's not). And let's just pretend Swift's not even in there.

 

[danoyse]

Of those candidates, I'd vote Lea Michele, then Evan Rachel Wood. ScarJo's voice is all wrong for Eponine, imo, and I think she'd be poorly matched with Redmayne because she seems so much older to me (even though she's not). And let's just pretend Swift's not even in there.

Me too (especially the Taylor Swift part). She did a great job with "On My Own" at the Hollywood Bowl concert not too long ago. I can't stand her on Glee, but she was great in Spring Awakening on Broadway. I actually saw her in Ragtime when she was about 10 or so. She's really talented when they don't have her playing a brat.

 

[flickchick85]

Me too (especially the Taylor Swift part). She did a great job with "On My Own" at the Hollywood Bowl concert not too long ago. I can't stand her on Glee, but she was great in Spring Awakening on Broadway. I actually saw her in Ragtime when she was about 10 or so. She's really talented when they don't have her playing a brat.

Yeah, I also saw her in Spring Awakening, and I agree she's a much better actress than she gets credit for sometimes. And you're right, her "On My Own" at the Hollywood Bowl was great:

 

[narrows101]

Went to the matinee of Hugh's "Back on Broadway" show today, and he introduced to the audience "the person who gave me the job" after telling everyone he was doing the movie musical - producer Debra Hayward was in the audience - along with Davis Foster and former British PM Tony Blair.

 

[narrows101]

This site says this:

LES MISÉRABLES - April 19, 2012 - London, UK & Europe; Details Are only Available By Subscription.. STORY: Jean Valjean, released from prison but still relentlessly pursued by police chief Javert who thinks he stole silverware from a church whilst on parole. Assuming a new identity, he makes good until a series of mishaps see him confessing his true identity as a wanted criminal. (Posted: August 9, 2011. Revised: December 1, 2011)[SIZE=-1][/SIZE]

http://www.myentertainmentworld.com/mew/film_production_newlisting.html

IMDB says (last updated Sept. 11 per boxofficemojo.com):

Production Dates

28 November 2011 - 6 November 2012

Filming Dates

6 February 2012 - 20 May 2012

http://www.imdb.com/title/tt1707386/business

My guess is February is rehearsals/recording and perhaps principal photography starts in April.

 

[The Guard]

Boy, that's...that's not what Les Mis is about at all.

 

[Project862006]

guess what was on last night

 

[narrows101]

Director Tom Hooper speaks:

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/entertainment-arts-16032642

Tom Hooper rejects 3D for Les Miserables movie
By Tim Masters Entertainment and arts correspondent, BBC News

The big screen version of the hit musical Les Miserables will be shot in 2D, its director Tom Hooper has confirmed.

The Oscar-winning director of the King's Speech said he had been "very tempted" to use 3D.

But he worried that some people might "physically struggle" with the format.

Starring Hugh Jackman and Russell Crowe, the movie begins shooting in March with an initial release date set for December 2012.

Crowe will play police inspector Javert opposite Jackman's ex-convict Jean Valjean in the musical, based on Victor Hugo's epic French novel.

Hooper's "dream cast" also includes Anne Hathaway as Fantine, and Eddie Redmayne - who appears in My Week With Marilyn - as student Marius.

King's Speech stars Geoffrey Rush and Helena Bonham Carter are also said to be attached to the project.

Speculation that Les Miserables might shoot in 3D has been swirling around for several months.

"I can definitely announce it's good old-fashioned 2D," Hooper told the BBC at the British Independent Film Awards.

"I did test 3D and I was very tempted - I think it is a very interesting new form."

The director said his decision was informed by a desire to make a film that would "connect with everyone".

"One of the things I'm most proud of with The King's Speech is how it managed to do that, whether you're eight or 80 years old.

"So I slightly worry with 3D that some people will physically struggle with it.

If you have a certain type of eyesight it can be more demanding than watching a normal movie.

"With a two-and-a-half hour film, I didn't want to make something that anyone might think 'That's not for me, because I don't like the medium'.

"I wanted to make a film that would touch everyone. I believe the story is so strong, 3D is not essential."

Hooper added that the casting of Eponine and Cosette would be announced soon.

"I've never done a film where big star actors are as obsessed with being in it as this!" he said.

 

[kvz5]

There was a casting call in NY for Cosette so I suppose they're going for an unknown?

 

[Pink Ranger]

There was a casting call in NY for Cosette so I suppose they're going for an unknown?

Child Cossette or adult Cossette? Child Cossette they would likely go for an unknown, almost by definition. Adult Cossette would be a good opportunity to cast another big-name star, who can bring in audience, but who only has so-so singing ability.

 

[kvz5]

Child Cossette or adult Cossette? Child Cossette they would likely go for an unknown, almost by definition. Adult Cossette would be a good opportunity to cast another big-name star, who can bring in audience, but who only has so-so singing ability.

The casting call was for the adult Cosette.

http://www.ilovetosing.com/2011/12/want-to-be-cosette-in-the-les-mis-film-open-call-1210-in-nyc/

 

[narrows101]

Sounds like they are going for an unknown for adult Cosette.

 

[Raiden]

Sounds like they are going for an unknown for adult Cosette.

Adult Cosette isn't as memorable as adult Eponine, so I think casting an unknown isn't a bad idea. She might even turn out to be successful like what POTO did for Emmy Rossum.

 

[Pink Ranger]

Adult Cosette isn't as memorable as adult Eponine, so I think casting an unknown isn't a bad idea. She might even turn out to be successful like what POTO did for Emmy Rossum.

But adult Cossette is a comparatively small role, that it makes more sense to cast a name actress who may not be the best singer (ScarJo I'm looking in your direction) and let the role of Eponine be given as a starmaking role to a relative unknown who can frickin' nail that part.

 

[kvz5]

Maybe more higher profile singers/actresses are lobbying for the role of Eponine (since it's arguably the biggest scene stealer among the 3 female roles) than Cosette and that's why they have to do a casting call for Cosette? Also, maybe they want Cosette to have a bit of resemblance to Hathaway and they can't find any right now?

 

[Superhero 101]

I heard Taylor Swift is in the running for Eponine .... i hope not.

 

[narrows101]

There have been reports today that Sacha Baron Cohen will be Thenardier, first reported in The Sun which made it dubious, and no "official" announcement. But Matt Lucas - Thenardier in the 25th concert - tweeted this, and I assume he knows what he's talking about.

http://www.cinemablend.com/new/Sacha-Baron-Cohen-Cast-Les-Miserables-Villain-28253.html

RealMattLucas Matthew Lucas
Sacha will be amazing in the Les Mis movie. He's the funniest man in the world and a good friend. Am excited to see his Thenardier.

 

[Raiden]

But adult Cossette is a comparatively small role, that it makes more sense to cast a name actress who may not be the best singer (ScarJo I'm looking in your direction) and let the role of Eponine be given as a starmaking role to a relative unknown who can frickin' nail that part.

The problem is, all the name actresses apparently wanted the Eponine role, and they can't just tell them to audition for Corsette instead. Anyway, this film will only benefit with more big-name actors and actresses, and perhaps whoever lost the Eponine role will give Corsette a try.

 

[flickchick85]

Well, I was looking forward to seeing Geoffrey Rush and HBC together as the Thenardiers, but Cohen could be too, imo.

 

[Pink Ranger]

Still would have liked Mick Jagger as M. Thenardier, but so long as SBC can sing, it should be good.

 

[danoyse]

I just saw Hugh Jackman on 44th St about a half hour ago. t:

Just wanted to post that somewhere.

 

[Pink Ranger]

I just saw Hugh Jackman on 44th St about a half hour ago. t:

Just wanted to post that somewhere.

When he was in Toronto, I was sitting in the balcony and yet I could still make out his chest definition.

Just wanted to post that somewhere.

 

[narrows101]

I just saw Hugh Jackman on 44th St about a half hour ago. t:

Just wanted to post that somewhere.

Recognize anyone swarming around him probably LOL?

I just happened to be flipping stations right now and on HBO Family was the start of the Liam Neeson Les Mis movie.

 

[narrows101]

From Baz Bamigboye, who usually posts accurate stuff, on how casting is going and announces who will play Enjolras - Broadway star Aaron Tveit.

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/tvshowbi...I-like-joining-Les-Mis.html?ito=feeds-newsxml

BAZ BAMIGBOYE: Borat says 'I like' to joining Les Miserables
By BAZ BAMIGBOYE

Borat star Sacha Baron Cohen is in final negotiations to appear alongside Hugh Jackman and Russell Crowe in the movie of the Les Miserables musical.

Baron Cohen will play the role of scheming innkeeper M. Thenardier who, with his baleful wife Madame Thenardier, causes much harm to the hero Jean Valjean and those closest to him.

However painful they are, the Thenardiers have the show’s funniest numbers such as Master Of The House and Dog Eats Dog. The decrepit couple ill-treat children in their care and serve patrons sausages made of horse innards, cat liver and pigswill. Worst of all, they water the wine.

There had been much chatter about Geoffrey Rush playing Thenardier — particularly as he had worked with Les Miserables’ director Tom Hooper before on last year’s Oscar-winning picture The King’s Speech. But Rush is busy on another project.

However, Helena Bonham Carter — who played Queen Elizabeth in The King’s Speech — is in discussions to play Madame Thenardier, although no deal has yet been done.

Baron Cohen and Bonham Carter last sang on screen in Tim Burton’s Sweeney Todd.

Hooper, along with Cameron Mackintosh (who is producing with Eric Fellner and Tim Bevan from Working Title Films), heard Baron Cohen sing and then offered him the part.

A lot of the negotiations are to do with scheduling because Baron Cohen is now working on Quentin Tarantino’s Django Unchained, having just finished The Dictator.

He’s also signed on to play Freddie Mercury in a film biography.

However you slice it, Les Miserables is a huge deal and will be an epic musical of the kind they’re not supposed to make anymore.

Jackman and Crowe will play, respectively, Valjean and his nemesis Inspector Javert. Anne Hathaway will play Fantine, and Eddie Redmayne will be Marius.

Broadway actor Aaron Tveit has just been cast as Enjolras, the heroic student leader who heads the march to the Paris barricades.

There are a handful of principal parts still to be cast — and scores of smaller ones.

Filming is due to start on locations in London in March.

http://broadwayworld.com/article/Aaron-Tveit-Joins-LES-MISRABLES-Film-as-Enjolras-20111208

Casting for the upcoming film adaptation of LES MISÉRABLES is well underway, with Hugh Jackman taking on the role of Jean Valjean and Russell Crowe squaring off as Javert. Sacha Baron Cohen as Thernardier, Eddie Redmayne as Marius, and Anne Hathaway as Fantine were also announced to bring their star power to the cast. Now, the Daily Mail reports that Broadway actor - and star of an untitled USA network pilot - Aaron Tveit will join them as Enjolras, the leader of a student revolt.

On stage, Tveit most recently played Frank Abagnale Jr. in the Broadway production of CATCH ME IF YOU CAN, for which he was nominated for the Outer Critics Circle Award for Outstanding Actor in a Musical, the Drama League Award for Distinguished Performance, and the Fred Astaire Award for Best Male Dancer on Broadway. The production closed on September 4, 2011. He also appeared on Broadway on WICKED, NEXT TO NORMAL and HAIRSPRAY.