Tom Hooper to take on Les Miserables

[danoyse]

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.

Stuff like that needs to be posted.

Recognize anyone swarming around him probably LOL?

Dear god, they're relentless. The were on him like the zombies from Walking Dead.

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

That is awesome.

 

[narrows101]

Dear god, they're relentless. The were on him like the zombies from Walking Dead.

ROTFL!! I guess they will go into withdrawal on Jan. 2!

 

[flickchick85]

from baz bamigboye, who usually posts accurate stuff, on how casting is going and announces who will play enjolras - broadway star aaron tveit.

yes please!

 

[danoyse]

Dear god, they're relentless. The were on him like the zombies from Walking Dead.

ROTFL!! I guess they will go into withdrawal on Jan. 2!

It's unreal. If they could velcro themselves to him, they would.

There was actually a lady in front of me who was older and it looked like they'd met before. I didn't hear what she was saying (I had my headphones on), but whatever she was telling Hugh, he was listened to her with just the sweetest smile. I could see he was really listening too. He gave her a hug and kiss when she was done. Awww...

 

[narrows101]

It's unreal. If they could velcro themselves to him, they would.

There was actually a lady in front of me who was older and it looked like they'd met before. I didn't hear what she was saying (I had my headphones on), but whatever she was telling Hugh, he was listened to her with just the sweetest smile. I could see he was really listening too. He gave her a hug and kiss when she was done. Awww...

Hehehe, everyone on this thread is probably wondering what the heck we're talking about. It's Hugh's Broadway show, and believe us people, this stuff is true....

Back on topic, here's an example of Aaron Tveit singing:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=j_Mp1qE1Gbs&feature=related

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZwlCIlCs5jA&feature=related

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YbjlVIrH-Sk&feature=related

 

[danoyse]

I'm seeing Hugh's Broadway show again in a half-hour!

Sorry, having another one of those "just had to post that somewhere" moments.

 

[narrows101]

I'm going again Saturday! He's finished on Jan. 1 and then it's off to Les Mis rehearsals!

 

[danoyse]

Have fun on Saturday!

After last night, I've come to the conclusion that even the way he says "Jean Valjean" is totally hot, so this movie really can't come soon enough for me.

 

[narrows101]

Had a blast! Of the three Hugh shows I attended, Alan Rickman was in the audience in the first one, Tony Blair and Les Mis producer Debra Hayward in the second (although I couldn't see them since I was sitting in the mezzanine) and at the last show, he didn't call anyone out, which kinda surprised me, but it was a Saturday matinee. But here's who was there last night - the new "Enjolras" (Anne Hathaway and Tom Hooper have also been in attendance at Hugh's show):

BroadwaySpottedBroadway Spotted
Spotted by @Rhonjfan76: Aaron Tveit at @HughOnBroadway tonight. (He even got a shout from Hugh bc of les mis film!)

 

[kvz5]

No word yet on who the frontrunner for Eponine is?

 

[narrows101]

Nope!

 

[narrows101]

Hugh was on an episode of "Theater Talk" which is a local NY theater interview show since he is now on Broadway with his one-man show. Towards the end he mentions that Les Mis rehearsals start at the end of January and filming starts in March. He said he will have to do a physical transformation because the character goes through an 18-year period starting in a prison camp where there isn't much food, and then eventually he needs to be "massive like an ox."

I'll post the link to the interview when it appears online.

 

[narrows101]

Hugh was on an episode of "Theater Talk" which is a local NY theater interview show since he is now on Broadway with his one-man show. Towards the end he mentions that Les Mis rehearsals start at the end of January and filming starts in March. He said he will have to do a physical transformation because the character goes through an 18-year period starting in a prison camp where there isn't much food, and then eventually he needs to be "massive like an ox."

I'll post the link to the interview when it appears online.

Here's the episode. The Les Mis stuff is towards the end around 21:40.

http://www.cuny.tv/show/theatertalk/PR2000480

 

[narrows101]

If the original source (The Sun) is to be believed, it sounds like the singing will be done live.

http://collider.com/les-miserable-movie-singing/134532/

The Cast of LES MISERABLES Will Sing Live On Set
by Brendan Bettinger [SIZE=-2]
Posted December 28th, 2011 at 8:47 am[/SIZE]

Confession: I have very little knowledge of Les Miserables as a book, a stage musical, or any prior movie iterations. So I was surprised to see it on so many Most Anticipated of 2012 lists, including our own. I am very interested in a big movie musical, but I just don’t have that personal connection. I am now as excited as everyone else though since I found something to latch on to. A source tells the Sun [via Cinema Blend]

“Unlike most film musicals, the cast will record their vocals live on camera rather than go into a studio first then mime on film to the pre-recorded vocal… First they have to learn the complex songs, then they’ll have to get it right on set in front of the other stars and crew.”
​

Terrific! Something about pre-recorded vocals always bothers me, but I thought it a necessity to enjoy the other wonders of a musical. But director Tom Hooper (The King’s Speech) says no, shortly after rejecting 3D. I love this guy. Hugh Jackman, Russell Crowe, Anne Hathaway, Sacha Baron Cohen, and Eddie Redmayne are the stars to whom the burden falls. Les Miserables opens on December 7, 2012. Hit the jump for a synopsis.

This decision could limit the scope of the film, but I think the tradeoff is worth it. Given the reverence for the stage musical, they obviously figured out a way to coordinate live singing that works for the story.
Here is a synopsis for the 1987 stage musical:

Jean Valjean, an ex-con, has transformed himself to become mayor and the owner of a factory. But when he is moved to help one of his former workers, Fantine, Valjean’s past is brought to light, and he is forced to abandon everything to run from Javert, the chief of police, dead set on bringing him to justice. Nine years later, Cosette, Fantine’s child, has been raised by Valjean and has fallen in love with Marius, a fighter in the French revolution (after whom another, named Eponine, also pines). With Javert on the hunt and a revolution tearing the city apart, in the end, everyone is forced to question what they’re willing to sacrifice in pursuit of love and justice. [Broadway Musical Home]
​

 

[flickchick85]

I'm not sure how I feel about that, tbh. There's a reason so much of a movie's sound gets redone in post-production. I have a feeling they'll just be re-recording much of these performances after the fact instead of beforehand, in an attempt to have them be more "in the moment" on set rather than trying to sync up their performances to recordings.

 

[narrows101]

Today was the last performance of Hugh's very-successful Broadway one-man show. It was reported that Les Mis director Tom Hooper was in the audience - that would make the second time. He was in the audience at another show.

 

[Pink Ranger]

Today was the last performance of Hugh's very-successful Broadway one-man show. It was reported that Les Mis director Tom Hooper was in the audience - that would make the second time. He was in the audience at another show.

Just for fun, Hooper should tweet "Just saw Hugh's show. Didn't care for it. Re-thinking casting." just to see what happens.

 

[danoyse]

Just for fun, Hooper should tweet "Just saw Hugh's show. Didn't care for it. Re-thinking casting." just to see what happens.

That would be funny.

Both times I saw the show, I was amazed how many people reacted with surprise when he mentioned that he was doing the movie. It was officially announced a few months ago and it's even mentioned in his Playbill bio.

 

[kvz5]

I think this movie will finally give Hugh his first Oscar nod. The movie business loves him. I think they're just waiting for the right project to give him recognition for.

 

[narrows101]

Scratch my Hooper sighting - it seems it wasn't him at the last show, but another movie executive.

Hopefully more news will be coming soon!

 

[danoyse]

I think this movie will finally give Hugh his first Oscar nod. The movie business loves him. I think they're just waiting for the right project to give him recognition for.

I hope so. I just watched The Prestige for the first time in ages tonight and it amazing how criminally overlooked both he and Christian Bale were for that movie at awards time that year. Such a great movie.

And as nice as it was to have Hugh back on Broadway (the show was so amazing!), I'm so excited for Les Miz to get going. I've been waiting a LONG time for this movie!

 

[narrows101]

I bet you if The Prestige came out now it wouldn't be overlooked. Christopher Nolan directed it and that was pre-Batman. It would probably get more hype now and perhaps a later release date than October.

 

[TheFuture]

Yeah, The Prestige was the first film that made me think Hugh was actually a solid actor, Eckhart did a great job with Harvey Dent but I would have been very interested to see Hugh in the role if the rumours of Nolan originally wanting him for the role were true.

 

[flickchick85]

I bet you if The Prestige came out now it wouldn't be overlooked. Christopher Nolan directed it and that was pre-Batman. It would probably get more hype now and perhaps a later release date than October.

Well, it was post-Batman Begins, pre-TDK, but I think your point still stands. While he had plenty of acclaim before, people didn't really start paying attention to Nolan on a broad scale until TDK. And yes, Jackman and especially Bale are now much more respected than they were then.

Looking back, 2006 was probably the best movie year for Jackman, as it contained not one, but his two very best screen performances to date, imo: The Prestige and The Fountain. I can't believe he went unnoticed for both. I had already taken him seriously because I saw him on stage in The Boy From Oz a couple years before that, which he was fantastic in, but it was nice to be able to start taking his movie career seriously too.

 

[Clu]

i have faith that jackman will be respected soon. I was completely sold on him after i watched The Fountain, The Prestige gave more respect and everything after I didnt question i just watched.

I hope for a oscar nod, but who knows what new oscar bait will show up and bump him.