It seems Hollywood will not rest until it manages a successful adaptation of the famous musical Les Miserables to screen. Despite several previous failed attempts, studios are trying again! This time keeping the singing, and wielding an intimidating all star cast.
Les Miserables holds the proud title of the world’s second-longest running musical ever. Despite the reviewers slating it upon it’s opening in London in 1985, the public loved it, and over the years it has earned itself the reputation of the stage show that nearly everyone sees atleast once in their lives.
Les Miserables is set in 19th-century France and follows ex-prisoner Jean Valjean (Hugh Jackman) who breaks his parole and travels over France pursued by the very stubborn Inspector Javert (Russell Crowe….I know: What the?)
The story is epic; we journey with these two rivals as their lives intertwine over the decades.
The cast is formidable. It appears just about every A-lister wants a chance to show off their vocal range. Tonnes of big names turned up to audition (Kate Winslet, Scarlett Johansson, Geoffrey Rush, Emma Watson and Taylor Swift to name a few), yet the parts were won by Jackman, Crowe, Anne Hathaway, Helena Bonham-Carter, Sacha Baron Cohen and Amanda Seyfried.
This could be detrimental rather than an asset: it is always hard to believe familiar Hollywood faces as their characters on screen, and this could possibly effect the emotionality of the story. But we shall reserve judgment yet!
Les Miserables is set for release on the prime Boxing Day slot in Australia. Bring it on I say, I am dying to see if Russell Crowe can pull of the impressive vocals required to Javert, particularly next to the sensational Hugh Jackman.
Get working on those scales Russell: the pressure is on!
