Official: Cameron Mackintosh Announces Russell Crowe & Hugh Jackman for LES MIS Film

It's been speculated on all week, but it's now officially been announced that Working Title's live-action film adaptation of Cameron Mackintosh's hit stage musical LES MISERABLES by Boublil and Schonberg will directed by Tom Hooper (The King's Speech) and written by William Nicholson and will star Hugh Jackman and Russell Crowe. Universal Pictures are releasing the film worldwide. No other casting has yet been announced or confirmed, though as BroadwayWorld.com was first in the world to report, Anne Hathaway has been offered the role of Fantine. 

The film is produced by Working Title's Tim Bevan and Eric Fellner with Cameron Mackintosh and Debra Hayward. Liza Chasin is the executive producer.

The stage version of LES MISERABLES holds the record as the longest running musical in the world. To date is has been seen by nearly 60 million people in 42 countries and 21 languages.
Last year, it celebrated it's 25th anniversary.

Cameron Mackintosh commented, "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. 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 want to hear the people sing at my local cineplex."

The US release date is set for December 7, 2012.