Tom Hooper to take on Les Miserables

[JP]

One Day mutha ****in' More.

 

[narrows101]

So, I heard that Swift has been offered the part of Eponine, but has she accepted it yet? Or is it a forgone conclusion that she'd take it as soon as she won the role over Michele?

The nastier people at IMDB are insinuating that Taylor got the role (if she indeed did, no announcement just all speculation) because Hooper was infatuated with her. Oy.... Another rumor (from that person who may or may not be "in the know" but they were the first ones to mention Swift before any of that got out) was that Lea Michele was never really being considered, and perhaps her publicist planted the idea (for us older folks, shades of an "I Love Lucy" episode LOL).

Who knows at this point what is true and what isn't - I wonder since this release lists only four confirmed actors, there's going to be a bigger announcement at some point.

 

[TheVileOne]

Didn't Les Miserables already get a modern film version in the late 90's?

 

[narrows101]

Didn't Les Miserables already get a modern film version in the late 90's?

You're referring to the 1998 movie starring Liam Neeson. That wasn't a musical. This new version is based on the stage musical, which has a different ending than the Neeson movie. That movie also shortchanged a few characters from (Eponine is hardly in it from what I recall) and probably a few other differences from the stage show - but this is going to be completely different as it's sung.

 

[JP]

Was Eponine even in the Neeson version?

 

[narrows101]

Was Eponine even in the Neeson version?

I didn't think she was but I thought I read somewhere that she was mentioned or shown briefly. But I don't remember that.

 

[Pink Ranger]

A real re-telling of the Victor Hugo novel on screen would have to be a cable mini-series, on the scale of Game of Thrones or something.

 

[kvz5]

IIRC they only showed young Eponine in the Neeson version.

 

[danoyse]

And there was a (TV movie?) version starring Anthony Perkins that left Eponine out entirely.

 

[JP]

At this point, they should do the same for this one...

 

[Pink Ranger]

And there was a (TV movie?) version starring Anthony Perkins that left Eponine out entirely.

There was even a cartoon. I remember seeing it one Saturday morning:

 

[Raiden]

At this point, they should do the same for this one...

Yeah, I think it would be addition by subtraction with this Swift casting.

 

[danoyse]

There was even a cartoon. I remember seeing it one Saturday morning:

Animaniacs did an episode called "Les Miseranimals" that was funny as hell.

The original novel was apparently the inspiration for The Fugitive.

 

[narrows101]

Broadway.com has compiled a cast list with videos of everyone starring in the movie. They even photoshopped heads on the characters LOL.

Do You Hear the People Sing? All About Hugh Jackman, Russell Crowe, Taylor Swift & the Rest of the Les Miserables Movie Cast

http://www.broadway.com/buzz/159252...ft-the-rest-of-the-les-miserables-movie-cast/

 

[Pink Ranger]

Broadway.com has compiled a cast list with videos of everyone starring in the movie. They even photoshopped heads on the characters LOL.

http://www.broadway.com/buzz/159252...ft-the-rest-of-the-les-miserables-movie-cast/

Yeah, but I hate it when they treat the rumoured casting decisions as fact.

 

[narrows101]

Video - Eddie Redmayne confirms Amanda and Helena and talks about how his casting came about. He looks and sounds excited to do this.

http://www.digitalspy.com/movies/ne...n-amazing-cast-says-eddie-redmayne-video.html

'Les Misérables' has an amazing cast, says Eddie Redmayne - video

Eddie Redmayne has said that he is excited for the big-screen adaptation of the classic musical Les Misérables.

The My Week with Marilyn actor, who will play Marius in the upcoming film, spoke to Digital Spy about the audition process, revealing that he had to "serenade" filmmakers in order to land the role.

"I totally had to serenade [the film's director] Tom Hooper and Nina Gold, the casting director, and Cameron Mackintosh, who's one of the producers," Redmayne said.

"It was interesting," he continued. "It was a musical my parents took me and my brothers to when I was a kid and I always enjoyed it. When it came out, I was like, 'Give it a shot'."

Redmayne, who was speaking after being nominated for the BAFTA 'Rising Star Award', added: "It's really exciting actually. It's an amazing cast they're accruing. I think it could be an interesting one."

Russell Crowe, Amanda Seyfried, Anne Hathaway, Hugh Jackman, Helena Bonham Carter and Sacha Baron Cohen are all set to star in Les Misérables, which will begin filming soon.

Redmayne recently joined the cast of BBC One's Birdsong.

Les Misérables will open in cinemas on December 7, 2012.

 

[JP]

Thanks narrows! You've been so on top of the news. You should start a Les Miz film blog. I think it'd be a hit!

 

[narrows101]

Thanks narrows! You've been so on top of the news. You should start a Les Miz film blog. I think it'd be a hit!

It helps when you have the name of the movie and every one of the stars' names in a Google alert! t:

 

[narrows101]

More interesting tidbits from Eddie:

Eddie Redmayne flexes vocal chords for Les Miserables
By Tim Masters

Eddie Redmayne has been announced as one of Bafta's Rising Stars for 2012

Eddie Redmayne has been testing his live singing skills on set, ahead of filming Les Miserables later this year.

Oscar-winning director Tom Hooper wants to capture his all-star cast singing live - not miming to a soundtrack - for his version of the hit musical

"I'm in hardcore singing lessons," Redmayne told the BBC at Bafta on Wednesday.

"I was down in Pinewood yesterday doing some tests with Tom and it's all happening."

Also starring Hugh Jackman, Russell Crowe and Anne Hathaway, Les Miserables starts filming in March and will be released on 7 December.

The story, based on Victor Hugo's epic novel, sees Jackman play ex-convict Jean Valjean, hunted for decades by the policeman Javert (Crowe) after he breaks parole. Hathaway plays factory worker Fantine.

Redmayne - who starred opposite Michelle Williams in My Week With Marilyn - plays student Marius.

The 30-year-old actor said he was attracted by the "spontaneity" of singing live.

"If you record an album and then make a music video to that album you are restricted by the choices you made. It is months in advance of what you know what your character is actually going to be doing."

He added: "So the idea is that the piano will play and we'll sing live - they've tested it all and I think it will be good."

On his approach to singing the solo Empty Chairs at Empty Tables, Redmayne said: "You have to forget all the versions you've heard and deconstruct the song and try to find your own way through it. We'll have to wait and see whether it works or not."

Redmayne, currently playing Richard II at London's Donmar Warehouse, also stars in the BBC's forthcoming version of Birdsong.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/entertainment-arts-16516727

 

[kvz5]

http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/les-miserables-movie-hugh-jackman-gossip-girl-282807

'Les Miserables' Movie Adds 'Gossip Girl' Actor As Rebellion Leader

It’s official: Aaron Tveit has signed a deal to join the cast of Les Miserables, Universal and Working Title’s big-screen adaptation of the classic musical.

Oscar winner Tom Hooper (The King’s Speech) is directing the movie, whose cast includes Hugh Jackman as convicted bread stealer Jean Valjean and Russell Crowe as his nemesis Inspector Javert.

Due to the intense popularity of the musical, the movie has generated tons of speculation about which actors will join the production. Anne Hathaway, Amanda Seyfried and Eddie Redmayne are confirmed. Sacha Baron Cohen and Helena Bonham Carter, whose names have surfaced in connection with the production, are not officially in at this point.

Tveit, who may be best known from a run on the CW’s Gossip Girl, will play Enjolras, who leads a student rebellion in the streets of Paris and orders Javert's execution.

William Nicholson (Gladiator), Alain Boublil and Claude-Michel Schönberg wrote the screenplay, basing it on the Victor Hugo novel and the musical. The movie has a release date of December 7, 2012, so Universal needs to move quickly.

Tim Bevan and Eric Fellner of Working Title are producing with Debra Hayward and Cameron Mackintosh.

Tveit, repped by CAA and Elin Flack, will next be seen with Joseph Gordon-Levitt in Premium Rush, which opens in August.

 

[danoyse]

And here I am thinking Aaron Tveit is best known from Next to Normal and Catch Me if You Can.

I had no idea he was on Gossip Girl.

 

[flickchick85]

Oh man, before I saw "Rebellion Leader" I saw "Les Miz Movie adds Gossip Girl" and I thought we got a Gossip Girl star as Eponine. Funny/weird thing was... I was actually encouraged. By the thought of a Gossip Girl star (Leighton Meester sings, right?). THAT'S how much I hate the Swift casting.

On another note, Aaron Tveit, "Gossip Girl star"? Really THR? Anyway, I do love this casting. He's different from what I'm used to for Enjolras, but he can really sing, I can imagine him pulling off the fiery passion of youth and all that, and besides, he's nice to look at.

 

[kvz5]

Oh man, before I saw "Rebellion Leader" I saw "Les Miz Movie adds Gossip Girl" and I thought we got a Gossip Girl star as Eponine. Funny/weird thing was... I was actually encouraged. By the thought of a Gossip Girl star (Leighton Meester sings, right?). THAT'S how much I hate the Swift casting.

At least you thought of Leighton because if I saw Gossip Girl I would've thought of Blake Lively. That's probably even worse than Taylor Swift.

 

[Project862006]

lively is an oscar contender next to meester and swift lol

 

[Majik1387]

I'm so not liking the majority of the cast for this movie