[Evun]

Les Misérables

The Film Adaption of the Musical Based on the Novel by Victor Hugo
To Be Released December 25, 2012

Summary

Set against the backdrop of 19th-century France, Les Misérables tells an enthralling story of broken dreams and unrequited love, passion, sacrifice and redemption—a timeless testament to the survival of the human spirit. Jackman plays ex-prisoner Jean Valjean, hunted for decades by the ruthless policeman Javert (Crowe) after he breaks parole. When Valjean agrees to care for factory worker Fantine's (Hathaway) young daughter, Cosette (Seyfried), their lives change forever.

Trailers & Other Videos

First Official Teaser



Full International Trailer

Posters

Teaser Poster

Directors & Writers

Director: Screenplay by: Based On:

Tim Hooper [The King's Speech] William Nicholson Alain Boublil Claude-Michel Schönberg Herbert Kretzmer Les Misérables by Victor Hugo Les Misérables (musical) by Alain Boublil Claude-Michel Schönberg Herbert Kretzmer

Cast

Main Characters Jean Valjean Inspector Javert Fantine Cosette Marius Pontmercy Éponine Thénardier Madame Thénardier Enjolras Gravroche Friends of the ABC Grantaire Combeferre Courfeyrac Jean Prouvaire Joly Feuilly Bahorel Supporting Characters Bishop of Digne Prostitute Bamatabois Brugon Montparnasse Foreman Army General Young Cossette

Hugh Jackman Russell Crowe Anne Hathaway Amanda Seyfriend Eddie Redmayne Samantha Barks Sacha Bonham Cohen Helena Bonham Carter Aaron Tveit Daniel Huttlestone George Blagden Killian Donnelly Fra Fee Alistair Brammer Hugh Skinner Grabriel Vick Iwan Lewis Colm Wilkinson Frances Ruffelle Bertie Carvel Adam Pearce Marc Pickering Michael Jibson Hadley Fraser Isabelle Allen

Empire's Outline of the Main Cast Roles and Vocal Experience

Official Sites

Site | Facebook | Youtube

A Note on the Book

I strongly recommend you read Victor Hugo's original Les Misérables novel. It's an epic, marvelous experience.

As always, the unabridged version is the way to go. I'd recommend the Signet Classics version, translated by Lee Fahnestock and Norman MacAfee. It is one of the most readable and faithful translations of the original French novel, and my favorite.

If you can't stomach the full 1,500+ page adventure, there are always abridged versions you can check out.

A Note on the Stage Musical & Other Adaptions

Of course, if you can, see a performance of the musical.

If that isn't quite an option, there are two full cast official video recordings of the concert version of the music -- a 10th Anniversary edition and a 25th Anniversary edition. If you'd like to become acquainted with the story and music of Les Misérables, check those out. Both are fantastic, each has its own advantages and disadvantages.

There are also many audio cast recordings that you may listen to familiarize yourself with the music. The Complete Symphonic Recording is the only official English one to include the full score, though by no means does that make it the best.

Most of the film adaptions of the novel are trash. Skip them and watch the Anniversary recordings of the musical instead.

I'll keep this thread updated with new information as it comes.

Get into it!

[Evun]

Reserved.

[Pelvic Thrust]

So freaking excited for this! The cast is major!

[Navin]

Get that hit thread!

[Evun]

Originally posted by Pelvic Thrust

So freaking excited for this! The cast is major!

Indeed.

I expect major awards for quite a few of them.

[jpsketch]

And the Oscar goes to...


Anne Hathaway.

[Evun]

Originally posted by jpsketch

And the Oscar goes to...


Anne Hathaway.

Hopefully. It's a very emotional role.

She lost a ton of weight and cut all her hair off. The Academy tends to love dramatic physical transformations like that.

[Pelvic Thrust]

Hugh & Russell are so perfect for their roles. I hope these cast gives justice to their roles because Liam, Geoffrey, Uma & Claire were all amazing.

[Evun]

Originally posted by Pelvic Thrust

Hugh & Russell are so perfect for their roles. I hope these cast gives justice to their roles because Liam, Geoffrey, Uma & Claire were all amazing.

Definitely I'm kinda worried about Russell's vocals since we've almost only heard his rock band voice, but reports from filming have said that he pulls it off wonderfully.

[Mickey]

I really don't like the book. The story is great, but the book is kinda pointless at parts. The musical is amazing.

[Evun]

Originally posted by Mickey

I really don't like the book. The story is great, but the book is kinda pointless at parts. The musical is amazing.

There are definitely some parts that feel unnecessary. The whole description of the Battle of Waterloo, the lengthy description of the sewers, etc.

However, the rest of it far makes up for Hugo's tangents. It's a well written, intricate story that spans decades, and everything fits together beautifully. Even if there are unnecessary detours at times, the overall adventure makes it worthwhile.

Plus, there's a lot that the Les Mis adaptions leave out (of course), and the book is worth reading in order to get an insight into those parts. Some of the subplots are fantastic.

And I agree, the musical is amazing.

[Lil Misty]

I read half of this book and stopped cause I was done with school

I JUST CAN'T READ BOOKS, THEY BORE ME

[RastaMentality]

Anne is having such a huge year. Come on for that Oscar buzz, Queen.

[RobynYoBank]

The trailer is everything.

[Razzle]

Ready to see Queen Anne and Amanda slay again

[jqnetto]

I'm ready for the movie of our generation.

[Elle♥]

Can't wait for this!

[Evun]

Empire Online published a well-presented run down of the main cast's characters and vocal experience, including videos of their previous work.

Easy access for reading:

Hugh Jackman

ROLE
Jean Valjean, a prisoner who breaks parole, changes identity, becomes a small-town mayor and adopts Cosette, the daughter of struggling mother Fantine.

SIGNATURE SONG
'Who Am I?'

VOCAL STATISTICS
Played Gaston in a local production of Disney's Beauty And The Beast; starred as Curly in the National Theatre's production of Oklahoma!, snagging an Olivier award nomination; sang the lead in Carousel at Carnegie Hall; won a Tony for his portrayal of Peter Allen in the hit musical The Boy From Oz; performed two one-man shows — Hugh Jackman: Back On Broadway and a more autobiographical revue — to huge acclaim. He has also hosted the Tonys three times and the Oscars once, singing with Les Mis co-star Anne Hathaway.
Listen to Hugh singing


Russell Crowe

ROLE
Inspector Javert, the cop who relentlessly pursues Valjean — 'Prisoner 24601' — over the decades.

SIGNATURE SONG
'Soliloquy'

VOCAL STATISTICS
In the '80s recorded under the name Russ Le Roq releasing the synth pop single 'I Want To Be Like James Dean'; formed band Roman Antix which transformed in 1992 into rockers 30 Odd Foot Of Grunts; in 2005, the band split and he formed new combo The Ordinary Fear Of God — their album My Hand, My Heart features a tribute to Crowe's Gladiator co-star Richard Harris; joined Keith Urban's band on stage in Vancouver to cover Johnny Cash's Folsom Prison Blues, then joined the rest of the band in a version of the Steve Miller Band anthem, The Joker.
Listen to Russell singing


Anne Hathaway

ROLE
Fantine, a factory worker who is forced to sell her hair and body in an attempt to provide for her illegitimate daughter, Cosette.

SIGNATURE SONG
'I Dreamed A Dream'

VOCAL STATISTICS
Grew up backstage at Les Mis — her mother played Fantine in the US national company; sang with the All-Eastern U.S. High School Honors Chorus at Carnegie Hall aged 18; received strong reviews for her performances in musical Carnival!; sang two songs on the soundtrack for Ella Enchanted; a constant singing fixture at Hollywood galas — YouTube her singing in honour of Meryl Streep — or at Awards ceremonies, chiefly as co-host of the Oscars in 2011. She is a soprano by nature.
Listen to Anne singing


Amanda Seyfried

ROLE
A grown up Cosette, the daughter of Fantine, who falls for student Marius.

SIGNATURE SONG
'A Heart Full Of Love'

VOCAL STATISTICS
Took singing lessons, studied Opera and trained with a Broadway coach in her teens; played Sophie in Mamma Mia! recording five songs for the soundtrack album; wrote and recorded Little House for the Dear John soundtrack and covered Sam The Sham And The Pharaohs' L'il Red Riding Hood following the release of Red Riding Hood.
Listen to Amanda singing


Eddie Redmayne

ROLE
Marius, student rebel who falls for Cosette just before the battle kicks off.

SIGNATURE SONG
'Empty Chairs And Empty Tables'

VOCAL STATISTICS
Only singing previous seems to be with choir at Eton College; saw the musical in London aged nine; would sing along to a cassette tape with his brother on long car journeys — he would sing Javert, his brother would take on Valjean. Listen to Eddie singing (from 1:05)


Samantha Barks

ROLE
Eponine, daughter of the Thenardiers who is secretly infatuated with Marius.

SIGNATURE SONG
'On My Own'

VOCAL STATISTICS
Brought up on the Isle of Man, started dancing aged 3; released debut album aged 17; won best foreign singer representing the Isle of Man at the Maltese International Song Competition (who knew?); came third in the BBC's find-a-Nancy-in-Oliver! Competition I'll Do Anything — the Isle of Man tourist board changed the name of the island to the Isle of Sam in support; subsequently played Sally Bowles in Cabaret, Nancy in Oliver! and Eponine in the West End, for the 25th anniversary concert and for the Royal Variety Performance; Empire has heard her sing live on set and frankly it is stunning.
Listen to Samantha singing


Aaron Tveit

ROLE
Enjolras, a prime mover in the student uprising and Marius' homeboy.

SIGNATURE SONG
'ABC Café / Red And Black'

VOCAL STATISTICS
Left theatre school early to join the cast of Rent (he later starred in a production directed by How I Met Your Mother's Neil Patrick Harris); made Broadway debut in Hairspray; acclaimed for off Broadway production Next To Normal; landed the role of Fyero in Wicked; big break came playing Frank Abagnale Jr. in the musical version of Spielberg's Catch Me If You Can; you pronounce the surname Ta-Vey; and, yes, that is him from Gossip Girl.
Listen to Aaron singing (from 1:45)


Sacha Baron Cohen and Helena Bonham Carter

ROLES
The Thenardiers - conniving, social climbing innkeepers. They pamper their daughter Eponine and mistreat their ward, Cosette.

SIGNATURE SONG
'Master Of The House'

VOCAL STATISTICS
Both showed their singing chops in Tim Burton's Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber Of Fleet Street — Baron Cohen was the only cast member to sing live; she sang 'Someday I'll Find You' for Radio 4's Noel Coward adaptation Private Lives and 'Heart & Soul' for the soundtrack of period drama Heart Of Me; he has sung in the guise of his characters and is in the frame to play Freddie Mercury in a Queen biopic.
Listen to Sacha singing
Listen to Helan singing

While it's a nice introduction and summary, I have a few nit-picky complaints. "ABC Café / Red And Black" is definitely not Enjolras's signature song -- that's "Do You Hear the People Sing?" I'd say. Jackman was in Sunset Boulevard, I dunno why they left that out. Russell had some musical theatre experience when he was younger too that the writer also failed to mention. I wish they had included "Bring Him Home" as Valjean's second signature song as well.

[supercalz]

I will cry

[zach]

This movie looks so good.

Is Anne actually singing?