Universal Sets Release Date for Les Miz Movie, Russell Crowe to play Javert

[sueb1863]

Posted: 9/8/11 at 7:05pm

http://www.deadline.com/2011/09/universal-sets-december-7-2012-release-date-for-les-miserables-with-hugh-jackman-and-russell-crowe/

EXCLUSIVE: Universal has formalized plans and a December 7, 2012 release date for Les Miserables, the live action adaptation of the Cameron Mackintosh-produced stage musical that will be helmed by The King’s Speech director Tom Hooper, with Hugh Jackman starring as Jean Valjean and Russell Crowe playing Javert.

The film is produced by Working Title Films’ partners Eric Fellner and Tim Bevan, along with Mackintosh and Debra Hayward. Liza Chasin is exec producer. William Nicholson wrote the script based on the classic novel and the stage play. The music is by Claude-Michel Schoenberg and Alain Boublil. Said Mackintosh: “Even though I have dreamt about making the film of Les Miserables for over 25 years, I could never have imagined that we would end up with the dream director Tom Hooper, and the dream cast of Hugh Jackman and Russell Crowe as the two great protagonists Jean Valjean and Javert. Not only were they born to play these roles vocally, but they thrillingly inhabit this great score. Producing this film with Eric Fellner, Working Title and Universal Pictures is indeed a dream come true and I can’t wait to hear the people sing at my local cineplex.”

This seemed to be in the cards when 20th Century Fox pushed back Wolverine 2 until at least the spring. The delay gives Jackman a chance to make Les Miserables, a film that will likely give Universal a horse in the 2013 Oscar race, and then reprise the role he originated in X-Men.

The Working Title team has been developing the musical with Mackintosh for some time, and it comes after they solidified a re-team with Atonement helmer Joe Wright in Anna Karenina for Focus, and they are also coming off Senna, the documentary on the Formula One racing legend that will get a major Oscar season push and which has grossed $7.5 million worldwide. Hooper’s repped by ICM, Jackman and Crowe by WME and Nicholson by CAA.

*****

Since it's from Mackintosh's mouth, we can now safely say Crowe is playing Javert.
Updated On: 9/8/11 at 07:05 PM

[jpbran]

Posted: 9/8/11 at 7:16pm

I'm cautiously optimistic that it will a.) actually happen and b.) not suck. Fingers crossed!

[jo]

Posted: 9/8/11 at 7:18pm

Finally!

Jackman and Crowe - as Valjean and Javert!

Can't quite believe that I was batting for this team-up since Day One!

Crowe never denied that he will be in Les Mis in his very active Twitter account -- very enigmatic and very telling to me

Also, a December 7, 2012 release qualifies it for the Oscars for that year.

It is Universal Studios which is calling the shots - it has given the greenlight and that means the project is now on its way. Fox Studios has also confirmed that Jackman's schedule has been cleared so he can film Les Miserables ahead of The Wolverine.



Updated On: 9/8/11 at 07:18 PM

[showchoirguy]

Posted: 9/8/11 at 7:25pm

Yep, this is a good year :)

[jimmycurry01]

Posted: 9/8/11 at 7:28pm

First Phantom coming to DVD and now this! This is indeed a good week.
I still picture the two leads reversed, but this is great news none the less.

[jo]

Posted: 9/8/11 at 7:29pm

VARIETY likewise confirms the announcements.

http://www.variety.com/article/VR1118042451?refCatId=13

[best12bars]

Posted: 9/8/11 at 7:30pm

If you add Anne Hathaway, you can basically fill all the other cast members with anybody you want. They don't need any more "names" to bring people in, although I wouldn't mind seeing a couple of stars as the Thenardiers. (Still hoping it's Geoffrey Rush and Helena Bonham Carter for a nice reunion with director Tom Hooper.)

[beautywickedlover]

Posted: 9/8/11 at 7:51pm

^ I would like to see Emma Watson as Cosette if she can sang.

The directors are smart to release the film a week before "The Hobbit." Even though "Mamma Mia" did well, for a film released the same weekend as a blockbuter like "The Dark Knight," with a gross of $144 million in the U.S. it's proabaly better to not take any risks releaseing "Les Miserables' the same week as a highly anticipated fantasy film with such a strong following.

[jo]

Posted: 9/8/11 at 7:53pm

If Hathaway, Rush, and Bonham-Carter join the group, this will be quite a casting coup!

Casting the juvenile roles will likely not matter that much anymore ( no need to cast "names"), so long as they can fill the singing and acting requirements. They may choose those who can appeal to the younger demos who normally may not be drawn to musicals.

The release date is quite a key date... and many films batting for awards will be scambling to get a shot in those remaining weeks of December. I doubt that they could release this movie earlier as filming will only likely start in the new year. And there will likely be an arduous post-production to follow.

I am glad the project is finally going to get going!

Updated On: 9/8/11 at 07:53 PM

[peachesr]

Posted: 9/8/11 at 8:05pm

I had a feeling about Crowe. It was only about a week ago he was quoting Victor Hugo on his twitter.

[TheatreFan4]

Posted: 9/8/11 at 8:05pm

Anyone have the flyer from the early 90s announcing the movie? I can't find it.

[jdtp12]

Posted: 9/8/11 at 8:11pm

This one?

[TheatreFan4]

Posted: 9/8/11 at 8:16pm

Yep! Thanks!

[willep]

Posted: 9/8/11 at 8:32pm

I would like to see Emma Watson as Cosette if she can sang.

I would actually really like to see her involved as well, if she has the singing chops, but I think I would rather see her as Eponine. But either way I would be interested :-P

[Fan2]

Posted: 9/8/11 at 8:33pm

One of the trades said Helena B-C is in negotations, and I think it was Baz B. from the Daily Mail that said Hathaway's negotiations are tricky and are being worked out.

Also being released this time next year will probably be the 3D verison of The Great Gatzby directed by the other Baz, Luhrmann.

[madbrian]

Posted: 9/8/11 at 8:57pm

My first choice for Thenardier is still Hugh Laurie.

[chewy5000]

Posted: 9/8/11 at 9:15pm

Will we be getting new songs in a desperate attempt for an Original Song award?

[jo]

Posted: 9/8/11 at 9:44pm

Interestingly, the late producer of The Boy From Oz Ben Gannon was quoted in an interview that he had talked to Russell Crowe to replace Hugh Jackman in the role, as Hugh was no longer extending his yearlong run. Obviously, nothing came out of the talks as the show closed with Hugh Jackman's contract expiration. Other names had also been speculated but the choice of Russell Crowe as a possible candidate was totally unexpected then.

Sorry, but I have already lost the link to that interview.

[JP2]

Posted: 9/8/11 at 9:59pm

THR is saying Bonham-Carter is in negotiations as well..

Hugh Jackman
Russell Crowe
Anne Hathaway
Helena Bonham-Carter


:')

[chewy5000]

Posted: 9/8/11 at 11:48pm

I can't help but think that this will suck. If it ever happens, that is.