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?