Cast This! "Les Miz" For the Big Screen
Friday, March 25, 2011 at 7:42PM 
In the annals of "the movie business is SO weird" and "Hollywood is terrified of musicals" few things beat the case of the 1998 film version of Victor Hugo's French revolution classic Les Miserables. Despite being moved into production during the 90s when the British mega-musical of the same name was well into its record breaking stage run, Hollywood thought it time to revive the book, which had been filmed many times before, but not as an adaptation of the ginormously popular musical.
Hollywood is currently repeating this dunderheaded mistake with umpteen Wizard of Oz projects in development that ARE NOT Wicked the musical, which is so popular that it has already earned more than half a billion dollars at the box office.
What is wrong with Hollywood?
So back to Les Miz. Admittedly we tend to travel in packs with people who share our interests but I didn't meet one person around the late 1990s who didn't say "Why isn't it the musical?" with a genuinely confused look on their face. Everybody was into that musical. It was as popular as Cats and Phantom of the Opera the two other pop culture musical phenomenons of the 80s. I also didn't meet one person who was eager to buy a ticket the movie without the songs.
So Uma Thurman played Fantine but didn't get to belt out power ballad classic "I Dreamed a Dream", Claire Danes played the pitiable orphaned Cosette but didn't get that wonderful crosscut romantic triangle "A Heart Full of Love", Liam Neeson played Valjean but didn't get that 11th hour manly weep-a-thon "Bring Him Home". Etcetera.
Fantine (UMA) Dies From Musical Malnourishment
Word is that Tom Hooper may be directing the first film version of this musical as his follow up to The King's Speech. Honestly, if he pulls this off, we'll pretend that this year's Oscars never happened and stop being angry on behalf of David Fincher.
Les Miz is perfect for big screen. Let's talk why and cast the characters after the jump.
Why is it perfect for the big screen?
- It's got memorable characters within a story that's been popular for centuries
- It's already a familiar property all over the world and Hollywood loves having half their marketing already done for them.
- It's got truly melodic songs even though it's "sung through".
- It's got enough historical oomph to justify the "serious epic" treatment, and enough heightened emotional stakes to justify people singing at the top of their lungs for hours.
- It's a prestigious property that could easily sweep up awards while also being utterly populist: just check the gazillions of dollars and tons of statuettes its already earned.
SO, LET'S CAST IT...
MALE LEADS
Jean Valjean (middle aged) is the manly hero, who breaks parole after two decades in prison (for stealing a loaf of bread). He becomes wealthy under a new identity and adopts an orphan girl Cosette when he realizes that he is indirectly responsible for her mother's poverty (long story). But when his identity is discovered by Inspector Jalvert (middle aged) who believes in the letter of the law and wants Valjean back in prison no matter how noble his spirit may be, he's on the run again. The trick in casting both of these men is that they have to be ideally suited for what is essentially a battle of wills with both of them being essentially sympathetic and seeking redemption. So you'd need two men of roughly the same screen potency and preferrably similar ages.
The young romantic triangle numbers "In My Life" / "A Heart Full of Love" from the 25th anniversary concert.
SUPPORTING MEN
Marius (twentysomething) is a student cum revolutionary. Should be handsome, and capable of idealistic dreaminess of both the romantic and the political nature. His voice has to be awesome since he gets great songs. ("Empty Chairs" Gah!). The other biggie is Thrénadier (middle aged or older) who is the unscrupulous greedy landlord who gets the evil comic-relief songs. His wife often joins him and she's basically the same character so cast the husband and wife.)
FEMALE LEAD
Fantine (late 20s to 30something) is only around for the first half but she is the struggling mother turned prostitute who has to give her child up for adoption (to Valjean). She's basically the soul of the musical's downtrodden spirit so it should be an actress in her 30s who is capable of really tugging on the heartstrings and can also sing the hell out a huge passionate solo like "I Dreamed a Dream". Should be beautiful and doomed feeling.
Patti Lupone discussing her "Fantine" role -- funny. Then she sings!
Here's GLEE's version of the "i gave my child up for adoption" drama of I DREAMED A DREAM with Broadway star Idina Menzel and Lea Michele as the biologicals.
SUPPORTING WOMEN
Eponine (teen to twenty-something) is the waifish daughter of Thénadier who loves Marius, she should be able to convey romantic martyrdom ("On My Own" is her big famous number) and frailty. Cosette (tween to twenty-something) is Fantine's gorgeous daughter and is romantically involved with Marius. She does not know who her mother is.
SO, CAST AWAY IN THE COMMENTS.
Who plays your warring male leads? Your evil landowners, your heartbroken prostitute, the unscrupulous landlords, and the young romantic triangle?
Broadway and Stage, Cast This!, Glee, Les Misérables, Patti Lupone, Theater, Tom Hooper, musicals
Reader Comments (64)
Samuel and Gabriel Oak have already said it, but it bears repeating: Hugh Jackman is wrong for Jean Valjean.
No disrespect whatsoever to Mr. Jackman. I think he's terrific -- he's just not right for the part. Jean Valjean is Everyman. He's the salt of the Earth. He could be ruggedly sexy (a la Russell Crowe, Jeff Bridges, Liam Neeson), but he absolutely cannot be beautiful (a la Hugh Jackman, Jude Law, Brad Pitt).
Beyond the matter of the right type for Jean Valjean, there's the even more difficult problem of who the hell might be able to sing it. Not any guy who can sing can sing the role of Jean Valjean in Les Miz. It's written for a particular kind of voice, and it's not one a lot of guys have: it's for a tenor, one who's not too "legit" (i.e., operatic), who covers more than two octaves, can sustain a kickass, wailing high B-natural, and can gently float up almost as high on the plaintive, sustained long tones of "Bring Him Home." That is a tall fucking order.
The following will seem obvious to people with singing experience; if so, forgive me. Most men have baritone voices. If you throw a rock out a window, you'll probably hit a baritone. My ballpark breakdown of men's voices would be ≈ 75% baritones, ≈ 20% tenors, and ≤ 5% true basses (e.g. Johnny Cash). Hugh Jackman is a baritone. He sings really well, he's got a good upper register, but him singing a G or an A-flat sounds different than Colm Wilkinson (the original Jean Valjean) singing the same note. It's like the difference between the sound of a trombone and the sound of a trumpet. OK, now that I've over-explained vocal ranges...
Some will say so what, just transpose Jean Valjean's music down a few keys. I say if you do that, you fundamentally change the nature of the music -- it would be as bad or worse than dubbing in someone else's voice, like they used to do with Marni Nixon. You might as well have somebody play Jean Valjean's music on a trumpet.
For example, they transposed down Che's music in the movie of Evita so that Antonio Banderas could sing it, and it was the musical equivalent of a wet blanket. Don't think so? Listen to Banderas singing "Oh, What a Circus," then listen to Mandy Patinkin singing the same track on the Broadway cast recording. Then, tell me who tears that shit up and who doesn't. Transposition also didn't help Gerard Butler in the movie of Phantom, but that's probably a bad example, since (as anyone who saw any of that movie can attest) Gerard Butler has a godawful singing voice in any key.
I don't have the answer. I really can't think of a movie actor who is both right for the role of Jean Valjean and can sing it. The country singer Gary Morris played Valjean for a year or two on Broadway, and by all accounts kicked ass... but only country music fans and some theatre people even know who he is. Maybe a studio would cast a non-movie star as Jean Valjean if they had big names as Javert, Marius, Eponine, Fantine, & etc.
...But I doubt they will. If I had to make a prediction, I'd say they'll almost surely transpose Jean Valjean's music to accommodate the vocal limitations of whatever star is cast in the role. And that will suck.
There is not ONE hit in Tom Hooper's filmography that suggests he can handle a musical or a beast as epic as "Les Miserables." The only reason he's getting this is b/c he's a director-for-hire now in light of his undeserved Oscar win. Pretty ridiculous that they wouldn't get someone with some actual . . . musical experience to direct this.
why people r suggesting daniel day lewis? did anybody see Nine?
Personally, I can't picture anyone as Valjean other than the Broadway original Colm Wilkinson. No other Valjean has ever brought it to his same level.
Valjean: Ewan McGregor
Jalvert: Hugh Jackman
Marius: Jonathan Groff
Fantine: Anne Hathaway
Threnadier: Geoffrey Rush
Eponine: Mia Wasikowska or Lea Michele
Cosette: Mia or Lea
They should also make room for Meryl Streep and Lea Salonga....
Jim Broadbent isn't a singer. His parts in 'Moulin Rouge!' were sung by an Australian opera singer named Anthony Weigh. He only spoke-sung in the movie.
■Valjean: Hugh Jackman-He's a talented singer, and a decent actor. This Tony Award winner would do wonders as Valjean.
■Javert: Johnny Depp-This Oscar-nominee has proved he can sing in "Sweeney Todd," and I feel can accurately portray Javert with his deep baritoney-bass voice
■Marius: Jonathan Groff-The "Spring Awakening" star and "Glee" scene-stealer could bring soul to the role of Marius. Runner-up: Nick Jonas surprisingly didn't suck in the London version
■Cossette: Rebecca Black. No, I'm kidding. Jayne Wisener-She played Johanna in "Sweeney Todd." She can fit the role well, and is one of the few young sopranos left.
■Fantine: Marion Cottliard-This talented actress/singer can accurately portray Fantine
■Thenardier: Matt Lucas-He played it in the London Concert, and was perfect. It's only right that he plays him in the movie. Runner-up: I'm also quite partial to Sacha Baron Cohen
■Madame Thenardier: Helena Bonham Carter-She can sing. She can act. She's too perfect for this role
■Eponine: Lea Michele-She's turned this role down so often, she'll have to accept eventually. She's already got "On My Own" in the bag
■Enjorlas: Benjamin Walker-He recently starred in "Bloody Bloody Andrew Jackson" and was cast as Abe in "Abraham Lincoln: Vampire Hunter." He reminds me of an Enjorlas, and he has the voice for the role
■Grantaire: Darren Criss-This other "Glee" scene-stealer just seems like a no-brainer for Grantaire
■Bishop: Alan Rickman-Just a small cameo, a role he could play
Famous actors inspired by Les Miserables can have cameos, including Nick Jonas as a student, John Lloyd Young of "Jersey Boys" in some role, and Neil Patrick Harris
Valjean: Hugh Jackman was casting gold the second I saw it
Javert: Simon Callow? Remember liking his voice in Phantom
Marius: Part of me wants an unknown for this part.
Fantine: Toni Collette seems like a good choice here.
Cosette: Emmy Rossum can hit those high as hell notes
Eponine: Sarah Michelle Gellar proved she could sing in the Buffy musical episode. Would need some voice work, but she has the voice 'type' for this.
Thenardier: James Marsters? Going to the Buffy well again, but he can sing.
Madame Thenardier: Madonna because I think it would be funny.
Enjolras: No idea, but seems like an important part to cast since he won a Tony.
I read the original article with high hopes - then I read all the stupid comments. I would have hoped that the hideous Phantom movie would have taught Hollwood not to shy away from legitimate Broadway stars. After all, among the many plusses this pending movie has going for it is 25 years of the history of the show.... Let's see legitimate Broadway or West End stars for once! (perhaps a cameo by Colm Wilkinson as the Bishop!)
Polivamp -- i love the Toni Collette suggestion. Her voice is really great and she's such a fine actor too.
But otherwise I share some of Dean's and Derek's concerns. There are a lot of people being suggested who cant' sing very well. although...
Jessica -- i wouldn't worry about a non-great voice for that role since it's so comic and speak-singing is commonplace for that type of song.
I can't believe I only saw this just now! I LOVE playing armchair casting director!
Valjean - Mandy Patinkin. He's a tenor, he's gruff - he might be a little too old, but I don't think that matters so much. If he is, then he can play Javert, and get a versatile actor like John Barrowman to play Valjean.
Javert - This is where I'd place Hugh Jackman. Remember the intensity of his part in The Prestige? I feel like it's very similar to the kind of intensity needed for Javert.
Fantine - I love the idea of Marion Cotillard, but why not cast someone younger, like Amanda Seyfried? Just think of those gigantic eyes of hers welling up with tears singing I Dreamed a Dream! Or what about Amy Adams? Gal sure can sing, and she's got the acting chops, too. Or (God forgive me) Christina Aguilera. She has the whore thing down, she's got the voice, she just needs a director who will reign her in, singing-wise, and bring her out acting-wise. Hooper might just be the man to do it.
Eponine - I would love to see Emmy Rossum get a crack at this now that she's found her acting talent on Shameless. Otherwise, Anne Hathaway, all the way!
Cosette - If she can sing, Elle Fanning would be perfect for young, Castle On A Cloud Cosette. As for older Cosette... This is the "a star is born" slot. Cast some pretty unknown. All she has to do is stand there, sing, and look pretty.
Marius - James Marsden. I literally cannot see anyone else. Even if he's a bit old for it.
The Thenardiers - I'm not sure he can sing, but I would KILL to see Gerard Depardieu do this with some grand dame of French cinema. Isabelle Huppert, maybe? These characters are DELICIOUS, scene-stealing parts, and if there's any parts that should be played by people who are actually French, it's them. Unless they decide to go the cockney route and cast (the admittedly perfect) Geoffrey Rush and Jennifer Saunders (from Ab Fab!).
I've had a lot of time to think about this, and agree with some suggestions:
Valjean: Alfie Boe, he was an absolute revelation in the 25th anniversary concert. This movie needs a Valjean who can really sing, he isn't a film actor, but some training and he will be perfect. He should have several things in his favor: he can sing, he knows the part, and he has the correct physical appearance for the role.
Javert: I actually think this is where they should cast Hugh Jackman.
The Bishop: an a-lister actor could be cast here, it's a small role, the singing isn't as important.
Fantine: Lea Salagona has a great voice, but now looks too old. Anne Hathaway probably should be a front runner. The character is only in her late 20's, a lot of suggestions are too old for the role.
Mr+Mrs. Thenardier: Helena Bonham Carter was who I always imagined in this role, the character really doesn't do much of any singing. I'm unsure of who will play the husband.
Cosette: I'm not all that keen on some of the suggestions going around, because this is one of the roles that really needs a good singer. I saw somewhere else someone suggested Anna Kendrick. She is a known actress, nominated for an Oscar. She can also really sing (she was the second youngest person ever nominated for a Tony award). There is a video on youtube of her performing 'Ladies who Lunch' from Camp.
Eponine: Lea Michelle, for all of her critics, she can really sing and she knows a think or two about unrequited love. She is also the right age range and is hugely popular.
Marius: I really enjoyed Nick Jonas in the role. He can actually sing and is the right age for the role (Marius is a student between the ages 18-22). Most suggestions are too old for the role on screen.
Enjolras: They could either give this role to an unknown or slip in a popular young actor. They need someone who can sing, because the character is in a number of very powerful songs.
Other roles: young Cosette/Eponine, Gavroche
students, police officers, village people, revolutionaries, general poor people, prisoners
To everyone who suggested toni collette, YES. she really needs to a) be in a musical, and b) have another role really worthy of an oscar, and c) FINALLY win an oscar. fantine is a great part, and she really has the right kind of voice, even in her "rock"/folky band Toni Collette & The Finish
Valjean - John Owen-Jones. Owen-Jones is currently playing Valjean for the 25th anniversary tour of Les Miserables and, unlike Alfie Boe, Owen-Jones can act on screen. It's not a huge role or anything but youtube him on "The Bill" and he acts just fine. We all recognize that not every Hollywood actor can sing but forget that Broadway actors often can't act in front of a camera, Owen-Jones can do both. Second choice - Alfie Boe I guess but this feels like a no brainer to me.
Javert - Hugh Jackman. Jackman is the greatest current crossover between Broadway and Hollywood. He seems to get mentioned a lot for Valjean but I haven't seen any video of him hitting notes as high as "Bring Him Home" but he can hit Javert's low notes. He's tough, imposing and talented enough to portray the complexity of Javert. Second choice - Alan Rickman
Fantine - Idina Manzel. She can act, she can sing, what's not to like. She performed some of "I Dreamed a Dream" on Glee and did a great job. (Surprisingly when noting my casting choices i am not a Glee fan; however, it is a rare opportunity to see strong singers act in front of a camera which is crucial for casting a musical movie). Second choice - Catherine Zeta-Jones
Eponine - Evan Rachel Wood. Hardest role to cast due to so many great choices (Sam Barks, Katharine McPhee and Lea Michele to name a few) but watch "If I Fell" from Across the Universe and you'll see that emotion and character of "On My Own" and look at other songs of hers and you'll see the vocal talent. Second choice - any of the aforementioned women.
Marius - Jonathan Gross. Strong singer with roots in Broadway who moved to Hollywood. Only fault is he doesn't have the boyishness or innocence that I think Marius should have a bit of. I thought that, while clearly a weaker singer than the rest of the cast, Nick Jonas fit the role of Marius very well and would not be upset if he were cast and did a soft-spoken interpretation. Other people I'd like to see audition would be Zachary Levi, Jamie Cambell Bower and Justin Timberlake (background in singing and proved his acting chops in Social Network, why not let him audition?)
Cosette - Jayne Wisener. She did a great job as Johanna in the movie remake of Sweeney Todd. Has the voice, the look and the talent. Second choice: Either Charlotte Church or Felicia Day.
Enjolras - I'd want to cast Ramin Karimloo who has been astounding in the role for awhile and held his own with the original cast after the 25th Anniversary Concert but for the sake of talking about Hollywood people...Matthew Morrison. He's got a great voice, a background in Broadway and looks Enjolras-y. Second choice: Oddly, Darren Criss. I'd want to hear him do something semi-operatic first but he has the confidence and looks of an Enjolras and can sing well.
Thenardiers - Stick with the two from the 25th Anniversary Concert, Jenny Galloway and Matt Lewis. Second choices: Bernadette Peters and Tim Curry.