Paul Bettany Up for Javert in LES MISÉRABLES Film Opposite Hugh Jackman?

With a show as well-known worldwide as LES MISÉRABLES, casting is of the utmost importance. Though West End star Alfie Boe was long reported to be Cameron Mackintosh's first choice to play the iconic Jean Valjean in the long-anticipated film, Hugh Jackman is now in talks for the starring role as per the Hollywood Reporter.

Now, Deadline.com adds to the story noting that Paul Bettany is in the running to play Javert, and that he recently both read for the role and sung for it. The film is hoping to go into production later this year. 

Paul Bettany is an English actor, who made his stage debut in Stephen Daldry's acclaimed West End revival of An Inspector Calls at the Aldwych Theatre, playing the part of Eric Birling. He also appeared in the Royal Shakespeare Company's productions of Richard III,Romeo and Juliet, and Julius Caesar (for which he received a Charleson Award nomination). When Bettany was 21 he appeared in a BBC production of Oliver Twist, as Bill Sikes. He's appeared in films including Bent, Ganster No. 1, A Knight's Tale, A Beautiful Mind, Master and Commander, Dogville, Wimbledon, The Reckoning, Firewall, The Da Vinci Code, There For Me, Inheart and The Tourist.

Jackman would bring a combination of stage and film experience to LES MIS; he won a 2004 Tony Award, Drama Desk, Drama League, Outer Critics Circle and Theatre World awards for Best Actor in a musical for his portrayal of the 1970s singer-songwriter Peter Allen in The Boy From Oz. Previous theater credits include Carousel at Carnegie Hall, Oklahoma! at the National Theater in London (Olivier Award nomination), Sunset Boulevard (MO Award - Australia's Tony Award) and Disney's Beauty and the Beast (MO Award nomination). From 2003 through 2005 he hosted the Tony Awards, winning a 2004 Emmy for Outstanding Individual Performer in a Variety, Musical or Comedy program. Mr. Jackman made his first major U.S. film appearance as Wolverine in the first installment of the X-Men franchise, a role he reprised in the enormously successful X2 and 2006's X-Men: The Last Stand. In 2009, Jackman took on the Oscar host as he fronted the 81st Annual Academy Awards.

LES MISÉRABLES originally opened in London at the Barbican Theatre on 8 October 1985, transferred to the Palace Theatre on 4 December 1985 and moved to its current home at theQueen's Theatre on 3 April 2004. When LES MISÉRABLES celebrated its 21st London birthday on 8 October 2006, it became the World's Longest Running Musical, surpassing the record previously held by "Cats" in London's West End. In January 2010, the West End production broke another record by celebrating its historic 10,000th performance.

Cameron Mackintosh is currently developing the film of LES MISÉRABLES with Working Title and Universal. Tom Hooper ('The King's Speech') is set to direct, and no casting has yet been officially announced. Read the full Hollywood Reporter article here, and keep with the latest LES MIS news by clicking here!