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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.
Tom Hooper’s ‘Les Miserables’ Wants Hugh Jackman To Play Jean Valjean
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Sounds great. He has the acting chops even though Alfie Boe is much better singer.
YES! Looking forward to it.
I saw Hugh on Broadway in The Boy from Oz. The man can sing and can play tortured well. He should be suited in either role, although I’d love him to be Javert.
It’s hard to imagine Les Miserables without Hugh Jackman in it. I’ve tried, can’t do it. I was listening to Philip Quast singing “Stars” and you can almost hear Hugh as Javert. I assume he can pull off the falsetto in “Bring Him Home” or they wouldn’t be trying to get him for Valjean. I just haven’t had the opportunity to hear him do it myself. There’s no doubt that he can act the part. Can he just do both Valjean and Javert so we don’t have to choose?
Russell Crowe for Javert. Geoffrey Rush as Thenardier.
I don’t think either of them can sing. And obviously you haven’t seen Geoffrey Rush in the 1998 version of Les Miserables, otherwise you would be singing a different tune because he was phenomenal as Inspector Javert
Who will play Jean Valjean is not the issue. Tom Hooper has a world of projects from which to pick, and quite honestly, after The King’s Speech…another Les Miserables is hardly worth his consideration.
Tom…pick something worthy of your current power to be a great storyteller. Les Miserables is one of my favorite novels of all time…but as a film…been there and done that enough…especially, if you add the Broadway and worldwide show to the mix.
If this does happen, not only will I go to the godzilla-plex to see this one, I’ll also buy the DVD and the soundtrack CD, too.
No! No! No! Alfie Boe is the only one for the role of Jean Valjean.
Are you fucking serious? He should give back his Oscars for this casting decision.
Oh, for heaven’s sake Universal, go with the talent this time and not the name. Close to 35,000 people attended the 25th Les Mis concerts, all of whom had seen someone else play Valjean. Alfie Boe won over them all. If you want buzz on Boe, let him play a revival on Broadway for a month, you’ll have all the good press you’ll ever need (put him on “Letterman.”) And Boe is right for the role, light years better than any name I’ve seen.
The role of Jean Valjean embodies a certain gravitas which Jackman does not (at least at this point in his career) possess. The producers may need a true Hollywood star to front the film, but with so many fine characters in the story, they could bring in one of Broadway’s finest to carry the role of Valjean (and leave the minor roles to the movie stars). Javert is a baritone bad-ass (Oliver Platt, if he could sing?) and a commanding presence.
If only Liam Neeson could sing it…
YES! Perfect casting! Jackman has tons of charisma, is a great singer, and is a great actor. He would totally knock it out of the park. I really hope he signs on for this, though I worry that he won’t be able to do it now that Wolverine is apparently going to be shooting in the Fall. But I’m sure they’d be able to work something out because Jackman is a huge star, and a musical movie especially needs a huge star these days in order to do well at the box office. Pleeease do this movie, Hugh!
NO way should he play JVJ – Javert, yes, would suit the role well – but JVJ? Have they REALISED how much REAL singing this involves? Alfie Boe has sung the part, is singing it from next week onstage and should sing it for the film. This is a brilliant work – don’t let us down with a popularised version on film, PLEASE!
I think this is a brilliant casting choice. Hugh is immensely talented and this role seems perfect for him.
How about Gerard Butler as Javert?
Ah yes, please cast Alife Boe, the movie star to star in a film adaptation of one of the greatest Broadway shows of all time. By the way, outside of theater circles, who the heck has even heard of him?
NOBODY.
Jackman would be amazing in the role.
While Alfie Boe has an undeniably amazing voice, the bottom line is always profits.
Alfie Boe wouldn’t sell enough tickets.
Like it or not, they need names.
Hugh Jackman would be a good choice.
Now there you go, babs, we know Jerry can sing and loved him in phantom…….haven’t heard Hugh, didn’t even know he sang
This is a musical, right? Don’t you want to have the best voice, charisma and magnetism to deliver an unforgettable portrayal of Valjean? I know Audrey Hepburn was cute in My Fair Lady, but she was no Julie Andrews.
Get the best: Alfie Boe. It doesn’t take much to get name recognition. Look what happened after the 25th Les Mis Concert. Boe will be on tour in the states early next year and as someone suggested, a stint on Letterman and a few other talk shows and a few movie teasers, and voila! Boe is Valjean.