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Les Miserables Character Art
Posted by jo 2012-10-10 17:45:27

They are releasing new character art ( aka posters ?) for the movie musical Les Miserables.

http://www.lesmiserablesfilm.com/unlock/

Here's the first one of what must be a series --

Les Miserables Character Art
Posted by tazber 2012-10-10 18:16:49

Well it's not very original. In fact, it's just plain boring.

Les Miserables Character Art
Posted by FANtomFollies 2012-10-10 18:48:47

I like it. The material doesnt call for frilly or 'clever' art/marketing. The images I've seen so far are classic and strong.

Les Miserables Character Art
Posted by sueb1863 2012-10-10 18:52:32

It matches the style of the Cosette poster, which I think is actually the first in the series.

I'm betting Javert is next, or Fantine...

Les Miserables Character Art
Posted by peachesr82 2012-10-10 18:57:06

I think we all worked out that the Cosette poster was the first of the individual character posters. It looks good, I'm not sure what people are expecting of the artwork, but it's not a subject matter that really screams 'extravagant and embellished marketing opportunity'.

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Posted by LizzieCurry 2012-10-10 18:59:23

There's a Marius and Cosette poster at the NBC Experience store.

Les Miserables Character Art
Posted by jdtp12 2012-10-10 19:04:35

Which can be seen here:

http://bluepeets.tumblr.com/post/33324850723/seen-at-the-nbc-experience-store-thanks-for-the

Les Miserables Character Art
Posted by best12bars 2012-10-10 19:28:34

I don't know if I like the color-coordinated irises look. Do they all have to look like they're wearing designer contacts?

I hope they drop that. It takes any edge off of them and makes them look "Beverly Hills Pauper Chic."

Les Miserables Character Art
Posted by StageManager2 2012-10-10 19:43:09

I don't know if I like the color-coordinated irises look. Do they all have to look like they're wearing designer contacts?

I was gonna say, what's with the evil eyes on these posters? They all look possessed. :-/

Let me guess, Eponine's tagline will say "On My Own" and Fantine's "I Dreamed a Dream"? *eyeroll*

I can't wait to see the film, but the marketing seems to be all wrong for this movie. Unoriginal and boring, too.

Les Miserables Character Art
Posted by MikeInTheDistrict 2012-10-10 20:08:05

I like the Marius/Cosette poster the best out of the ones we've seen so far... probably because it's the only one that doesn't feature the aforementioned demon eyes, lol.

I don't think the publicity is "wrong", just... predictable. Very predictable and boring. One one hand, it makes sense that they would play it safe. On the other hand, it makes me worry if this is going to be a redux of Chris Columbus' RENT, which was reverent and serviceable, but not much else. Hooper's direction, thankfully, doesn't seem to be in the same uninspired vein as the publicity.

Les Miserables Character Art
Posted by Starship 2012-10-10 20:14:41

When I read "Freedom is Mine" I thought of Feeling Good.

Les Miserables Character Art
Posted by darquegk 2012-10-10 22:48:18

This poster looks like it could be Hugh Jackman in Lord of the Rings.

Les Miserables Character Art
Posted by Wynbish 2012-10-10 22:52:50

When I read "Freedom is Mine" I thought of Feeling Good

I know how you feel.

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Posted by broadway guy 2012-10-10 23:06:51

Question! what is the significance of Grantaire watching Gavroche's Death? what is the friendship between those guys?

Les Miserables Character Art
Posted by kyl3fong2 2012-10-10 23:42:04

Do you guys think we will finally get a preview of the Thenardiers in this series?

Also, I am personally hoping for a Aaron Tveit Enjolras poster!

Les Miserables Character Art
Posted by Plum 2012-10-11 00:18:01

I don't think the eyes on this one are as, uh, lambent as the ones on the Cosette poster. They're Photoshopped, yeah, but it's not totally demonic IMO.

Les Miserables Character Art
Posted by broadway guy 2012-10-11 00:24:33

There is a Preview of Thenardier's.A whole New Trailer has been playing for a couple of weeks in Japan.It was Leaked on the internet a couple days ago. There is a bootleg but I wouldnt waste your time.You can hardly see Anything.

Here it is:http://youtu.be/hLu7bNFqkzA

It really sucks that the Marketing Team Has been letting other countries see this new footage while people in America have been waiting Very long for footage of this stuff.

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Posted by TheatreFan4 2012-10-11 00:45:21

Oh yes, can't make out anything from a bootlegged trailer from Japan. DAMN YOU PROMOTION!

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Posted by TheatreFan4 2012-10-11 01:10:28

Psst... Les Miz is HUGE in Japan. And Godforsaken? Tad over dramatic aren't you? And no, I'd say greatest anticipation would probably be in the UK. America is not the center of the universe, Love.

As for advertising, this is how it goes. Some places get one thing, some get another, and another something entirely different and all at different times.

Les Miserables Character Art
Posted by jo 2012-10-11 03:24:40

Australian media has released the official JAVERT poster ( Russell Crowe) --

http://www.dailytelegraph.com.au/news/first-official-poster-of-russell-crowe-in-musical-les-miserables-also-starring-hugh-jackman-and-anne-hathaway-released/story-e6freuy9-1226493765386

Tagline : I AM THE LAW

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Posted by fingerlakessinger 2012-10-11 05:59:12

I don't find anything bothersome about the eyes in the previous two. But Jevert's eyes do look very....I don't know...artificial.

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Posted by EponineAmneris 2012-10-11 08:13:11

Personally, I really love the poster art and hope to collect them all.

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Posted by broadway guy 2012-10-11 08:56:17

"Psst... Les Miz is HUGE in Japan. And Godforsaken? Tad over dramatic aren't you? And no, I'd say greatest anticipation would probably be in the UK. America is not the center of the universe, Love."

Yes it is Huge in Japan,thats why they got the trailer first...DUH lol.I Think the greatest anticipation is ALL over!! and btw im not even from AMerica lol :P.

I just wish Marketing would release this stuff at the same time.People have every right to be a little Pissed off when you have been waiting for A new trailer and Pictures of The Thenardiers for weeks now and than you find out the new trailer has been casually playing on street corners of japan for WEEKS LOL.Im not one of those pissed offf people I just wish i lived in Japan at the moment LOL.It honestly does not matter though because sources say the new trailer is coming out next week.

Les Miserables Character Art
Posted by chris d 2012-10-11 09:21:23

beautiful, fascinating portraits... if I saw only the photos and didn't know anything about the musical, I would think Russell is the good guy and Hugh the bad guy!

Les Miserables Character Art
Posted by LizzieCurry 2012-10-11 10:21:22

I don't find anything bothersome about the eyes in the previous two. But Jevert's eyes do look very....I don't know...artificial.

They look like a stereotypical HDR landscape.

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Posted by castlestreet 2012-10-11 10:44:40

"I Am The Law"- what is he Judge Dread?

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Posted by jo 2012-10-11 10:59:36

"I am the Law...and the Law is not mocked" - were first uttered by Javert in the first English version of the stage musical LES MISERABLES in 1985. Check out the final soliloquy.

Unless you were just kidding

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Posted by EponineThenardier 2012-10-11 12:26:36

I LOVE these. Seriously I want to buy a set and put them up. Beautiful. Marius and Cosette is especially gorgeous. I have a feeling the Thenardier poster may be the first look we see of Helena and Sasha.

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Posted by Wildcard 2012-10-11 12:51:42

"I saw only the photos and didn't know anything about the musical, I would think Russell is the good guy and Hugh the bad guy!"

That's exactly what Javert thinks, isn't it?

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Posted by broadway guy 2012-10-11 13:02:02

Bettr quality Les Miz Trailer!! Footage of SBC ans HBC.no sound

http://youtu.be/hzGlx0Iraro

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Posted by StageManager2 2012-10-11 13:02:29

Here's a slightly better view of that Japanese sidewalk trailer:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hzGlx0Iraro&feature=youtu.be

At 1:17 you can catch a glimpse of Sacha and Helena. They look like something out of a Tim Burton film. I'm sure it's the lighting, but it looks like they have heavy white makeup. haha

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Posted by willep 2012-10-11 13:32:53

There is also what appears to be a shot from Master of the House.

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Posted by EponineThenardier 2012-10-11 16:17:17

I can help noticing how much Samantha Barks looks like young Helena Bonham-Carter. They really hit the nail on the head with that casting as far as getting people who bare a familiar resemblance.

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Posted by Wynbish 2012-10-11 16:20:23

I see it

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Posted by TheatreFan4 2012-10-11 16:40:34

Yes it is Huge in Japan,thats why they got the trailer first...DUH lol.I Think the greatest anticipation is ALL over!! and btw im not even from AMerica lol :P.

Just so you know I wasn't replying to you, but to StageManager's childish response to the Japanese trailer that the cracker jack mods deleted leaving me looking as though I was talking about you.

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Posted by StageManager2 2012-10-11 18:00:55

Bitch, don't bring me into this.

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Posted by TheatreFan4 2012-10-11 18:04:44

They were YOUR posts. Don't pretend you didn't say them because they were deleted. Remember Godforsaken country? Calling me a cvnt?

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Posted by Phyllis Rogers Stone 2012-10-11 18:27:34

I saw them.

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Posted by TheatreFan4 2012-10-11 18:35:28

Merci, thanks for the witness, Ms. Stone.

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Posted by son_of_a_gunn_25 2012-10-11 18:37:56

Back to the posters, I am not a fan of the font or spacing they use for the sans-serif text. I kind of find it jarring compared to the rest of the poster. The text in white just doesn't seem to fit well.

Les Miserables Character Art
Posted by My Oh My 2012-10-12 04:14:16

I'm one of the pickiest of all picky mofos that call themselves picky fans of this musical.

I really like these individual character posters. The color scheme, everything is very well done.

There's only one thing that worries me...Crowe's Javert expression.

Now, I'm known for writing dissertations on single lighting cues and whole songs have been stripped of their power through a slight change in orchestration to me. I'm picky, yes, but I'm that way because I find that the magic lies in the details and not because I'm set in any irrational ways.

Crowe's expression worries me because it is very consistent with every single other expression of his as Javert so far. I get the impression they will hammer us over the head with this "Javert is human, too" nonsense by "humanizing" a character that was already very, very human.

Javert's story is bizarre as it is, and few would argue against his views being of an extreme nature. Those views result in a stunning lack of compassion for the lives of the good people he makes sure are locked safely behind bars over petty things. Crowe looks like he's longing in every photo I've seen. You just want to hold him close and tell him everything will be alright.

That I'd fall head over heels, too, for the burly French peasant of Jean Valjean, and that there are other fish in the sea. I've seen this angsty, puppy dog Javert portrayal once out of 30 times seeing the show live onstage and all but one I'd want to relive again and again.

That one performance I left the theatre forgetting Javert was even a character in the musical. This...after witnessing one of my favorite stage performers totally rock the role vocally, his acting choices were misguided, to say the least.

It's OK to be relieved when Javert hops into the Seine. It's not OK to feel Javert should have been included in the finale along with all those who died at the barricades, and should stand arm in arm with Valjean...and maybe whisper a sweet nothing or two into the hunky French peasant's earlobes.

I've always felt a sense of compassion for Javert and his ideology being what it is, that it eventually kills him. He has always been human to me. I don't need to be spoon fed this emotionally wrecked cop who longingly pursues another man for decades. His catharsis should be his complete loss of faith in himself, hence the self-punishment with death. This is the same man who demanded be fired by "the Mayor," after suspiciously snooping around for details on "the Mayor's" past.

The dude wished to punish himself by er...outing himself and his longing, um...I mean, suspicion and continuing determination for Valjean's ass. Oops, did I say that? I meant he wanted ValJohnny's ass in jail. Yeah, that's it.

I fear that "reinvented" Javert of anniversary budget tour editions will make an appearance on-screen as well, and his offing himself won't be a catharsis but a...wet climax of obsession and manlove!

I wouldn't say it is a fine line; it's pretty darn difficult to make Javert seem like a schoolboy with an Eponine complex but the impression is there that his eye spies a keeper in that sexy, burly, Frenchy Val-mmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmm.

But that's just me.

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Posted by peachesr82 2012-10-12 04:29:43

Let's be honest, the majority of the worlds cinema going pubic who aren't theatre/Les Miz obsessives are merely going to look at that poster in passing and think 'oh Russell Crowe's in it.'

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Posted by My Oh My 2012-10-12 06:09:16

Not sure if you were responding to my post but in case you were, I know it seems like I am but, no, not going off totally based on that ONE poster of Crowe.

And since when do I care about what the general public thinks? They can care as far as putting only enough attention to know it takes place in France and involves singing, I'd still be filling pages up with "fears" (which are really minor concerns at this point) of attempts at turning something that has brought me much joy into sh*t. You can bet on that. =)

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Posted by Idiot 2012-10-12 06:45:42

It's a movie and they're selling MOVIE STARS to counteract the general public's perception of not only a depressing musical, but one with a 'furrin' title.

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Posted by chris d 2012-10-12 09:39:55

since Javert raises this trumped up morality play into something approaching art, Crowe's performance will make or break the movie for me. I hope he doesn't whisper through "Stars."

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Posted by Fan2 2012-10-12 09:45:32

Crowe tweeted after it was filmed that he sang 28 takes of "Stars" (Hugh sang 14 takes of "Bring Him Home" in two hours). There were probably a few different ways he sung the song and it would be up to the director which cut he wants to use.

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Posted by Wynbish 2012-10-12 09:45:46

To add to the nitpicks, I don't like how he's not looking at camera. I feel like if Valjean is, Javert should be even more so. Javert is one of the most sure and focused characters in the musical, and not having that dead-on look makes him look more pensive than he is for most of the time.

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Posted by LizzieCurry 2012-10-12 12:27:24

Fantine: https://twitter.com/LesMiserables/status/256792683127926785

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Posted by JP2 2012-10-12 12:31:40

@LesMiserables Heart Full of Love. Amanda Seyfried as Cosette in #LesMis. pic.twitter.com/16DwoNaQ

@LesMiserables
I Dreamed a Dream. Anne Hathaway as Fantine in #LesMis pic.twitter.com/QJmwYCxz

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Posted by Phyllis Rogers Stone 2012-10-12 12:38:13

Isn't Cosette blonde in the movie?

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Posted by Wynbish 2012-10-12 12:40:54

She was blonde here

I like this poster better than just her

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Posted by StageManager2 2012-10-12 13:24:31

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Posted by jacobsnchz14 2012-10-12 14:50:11

Also Cosette's eyes are blue in the "first" character poster. Is brown significant for something? lol.

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Posted by little_sally 2012-10-12 15:05:56

I love the Amanda Seyfried one. She looks gorgeous.

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Posted by Plum 2012-10-12 15:39:20

Huh. The brunette Cosette thing is a bit odd, but whatever.

My Oh My - HA. You've probably already seen this, but for anyone who hasn't, here's Kate Beaton's take on Javert.

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Posted by MikeInTheDistrict 2012-10-12 19:43:28

Does the adult Cosette poster look oddly modern to anyone else? The hairstyle and the clothing don't look particularly period. Maybe that's the point. If I didn't know when the story took place, I would have thought that was Amanda in everyday street clothes and a modern hairstyle.

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Posted by BroadwayStar4 2012-10-12 21:51:56

I still don't like that they made Fantine a brunette. She's a blonde in the book and is usually portrayed as such in productions and other film versions. It makes it a desirable asset 'cause it was less common back then, in the days before peroxide. I can see a wig maker lusting after her natural blonde tresses. But common brown hair? Not so much.

Actually in some productions, Fantine was a brunette. Besides, hair color doesn't matter. Her hair can be beautiful, luscious and desirable without it being blonde, even in those days. Seriously, this really doesn't matter at all.

Huh. The brunette Cosette thing is a bit odd, but whatever.

What's really odd is how you never even thought of the fact that the lighting has a lot to do with her hair looking darker in the photo.

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Posted by chris d 2012-10-12 21:59:53

Amanda's pic kind of looks like it could be on a box of hair dye?? but I still like it! and Anne looks angelic (as in, post-mortem...)

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Posted by Plum 2012-10-12 22:10:56

What's really odd is how you never even thought of the fact that the lighting has a lot to do with her hair looking darker in the photo.

Ooooh, you sure told me.

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Posted by StageManager2 2012-10-12 22:27:36

Actually in some productions, Fantine was a brunette. Besides, hair color doesn't matter. Her hair can be beautiful, luscious and desirable without it being blonde, even in those days. Seriously, this really doesn't matter at all.

In the original London and Broadway productions, Fantine was a blonde. Both Patti LuPone and Randy Graff were costumed with blonde wings. It wasn't until much later that they started color-blind casting, but in the original production Fantine was conceived as Hugo described her -- blonde, reason being that her golden hair was her greatest asset. Fantine is blonde for a reason. Her hair color is plot relevant and mentioned a lot in the book. Throughout her section, descriptions of Fantine all emphasize her beautiful blonde hair. It's worth so much when she sells it because she's blonde more so than because it's long. The musical does not depart from the novel sufficiently to obliterate Hugo's symbolism and rationale for making Fantine blonde. Fantine's blonde hair represented, to some extent, purity and innocence. When she cuts it, she loses that. The symbolism just isn't the same when the character blends in with everyone around her.

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Posted by chris d 2012-10-12 22:50:33

I totally agree, so maybe they made her brunette for superficial reasons (ie. having Anne be blonde would distract?)

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Posted by MikeInTheDistrict 2012-10-12 22:57:29

Yeah, I think they probably just left Anne a brunette for the simple reason that she would not have made a very convincing blonde. I don't know whether it's because we're all so used to seeing her with brown hair, or her features just don't go with blonde hair, but I can't imagine any dye job being anything but distracting.

Hooper and Company obviously wanted big names to fill out this cast. I think Anne fit the bill. They may have chosen a blonde actress in preference to her had someone who had the same name recognition, and singing/acting ability auditioned for them. But no one like that came along, so we get a brunette Fantine. Although Hooper is also going back the the novel for details, I think name recognition was more important for this project than utmost faithfulness to Hugo's vision. I would have preferred a blonde Fantine, because Hugo does indeed make a huge point about her golden hair and it ISN'T a trivial detail as it may seem, but so long as Anne gets the pathos of the character, I can overlook it.

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Posted by Phyllis Rogers Stone 2012-10-12 23:03:48

MikeInTheDistrict, I know what you mean. Something about the hair (not the color, just the style) really struck me as more contemporary. Actually, I think Anne Hathaway's can even go that way at a quick glance, but when you look at it closer you can see it. Maybe they were going for that.

It's still weird that her hair is a lot darker than it is in the movie, whether it's lighting or Photoshop or whatever. It an observation. It doesn't change how much I can't wait to see this movie. I am excited as hell about it. Everything I've seen makes me feel like the teenager I was when I discovered it for the first time. This movie looks amazeballs.

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Posted by MikeInTheDistrict 2012-10-12 23:16:42

Exactly, Phyllis. It just seems like something you could see her walking down the street today wearing. It looks like it was styled that way, rather than just falling naturally. Anne's hair is simple enough for it not to be too contemporary-looking for me, but I know what you mean. Looking at it again, I think maybe they wanted to draw a parallel between Young Cosette and Adult Cosette, by having her wear her hair down. It looks like she wears her hair up through most of the film in a period-appropriate style (and it's definitely much lighter than in the picture).

I wish they would have chosen more compelling shots than these vacant stares that look like Entertainment Weekly covers. You know I wouldn't be surprised if EW actually used these as "collectible" covers, like they sometimes do.

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Posted by SporkGoddess 2012-10-13 00:13:21

Cosette is brunette in the novel. They describe her as having "chestnut" hair.

I wish Fantine were blonde in the movie, too, because it is so important in the novel. But I can deal with it.

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Posted by Kaliko 2012-10-13 04:32:28

I like these posters, but I feel like their expressions are off. Hugh's is okay, but I feel like Russell should be more stern, Anne perhaps a bit more sad, and Amanda with a hint of a smile or maybe a dreamy expression. The way they are now they don't mesh with the tag lines.

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Posted by sueb1863 2012-10-13 06:31:12

Because they cut Anne's hair so short, they would have to dye it blonde repeatedly during filming to keep the dark roots from showing during her close-ups. That would have fried her hair and scalp and she would have looked like she had dyed hair anyway since she isn't a natural blonde. I think that's why they didn't make her a blonde.

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Posted by broadway guy 2012-10-13 07:58:56

" the original London and Broadway productions, Fantine was a blonde. Both Patti LuPone and Randy Graff were costumed with blonde wing"

Yes But Patti Looked awful in that blonde wig.It did not look natural on her.She looked like a biker/Amadeus....

The blonde Hair is important to the character but I'm glad they did not make Anne wear a wig.It would have been so off because she is clearly NOT a blonde and it would have been distracting.

Anne actually cut her hair when they were filming Lovely ladies so it will be more emotional for the audience to see Anne's emotions when all her actual hair is chopped off.It also shows how deeply commited anne is to this character.....OSCAR OSCAR OSCAR

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Posted by Phyllis Rogers Stone 2012-10-13 14:41:10

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Posted by CarlosAlberto 2012-10-13 14:44:54

^ GENIUS!

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Posted by TheatreDiva90016 2012-10-13 16:42:49

Thanks for bringing it to life for me PRS!

It's amazing!

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Posted by jo 2012-11-01 20:17:05

The Thenardiers present a character contrast from the previously released ones.

Helena's hair ornaments hint at a scene not found in the musical but derived from the book.

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Posted by jo 2012-11-01 20:20:39

Amanda/Cosette seems to be a more appealing image than how she was portrayed with a relatively bland onstage.

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Posted by sueb1863 2012-11-01 21:38:44

Yeah, the inn portion with the Thenardiers when Valjean rescues Cosette is set on Christmas Eve, as it is in the book. Should be very cool!

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Posted by Born in a Ditch 2012-11-01 22:29:16

I just thought she had the mistletoe in her hair because the movie is coming out on Christmas.

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Posted by chewy5000 2012-11-01 23:15:34

Oh, I didn't realise Tim Burton was directing this.

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Posted by little_sally 2012-11-04 21:10:29

I don't understand why Sacha is making that face but I like him enough to be excited to see his take on the role.

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Posted by Jungle Red 2012-11-04 23:34:43

"Oh, I didn't realise Tim Burton was directing this."

Because both actors only work for Burton? Gimme a break!

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Posted by My Oh My 2012-11-04 23:51:41

"My Oh My - HA. You've probably already seen this, but for anyone who hasn't, here's Kate Beaton's take on Javert.
Hark! A Vagrant."

Hehehehe. That was fun.

I think up tons of silly little scenarios like that. If only I took the time to write them down. Could be put to good use, hehe.

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Posted by best12bars 2012-11-05 06:25:36

The Thenardiers seem to be "brought to you by Revlon" in this poster.

They have more cosmetics on their mugs than the entire rest of the cast put together.

And contemporary women's makeup at that.

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Posted by chewy5000 2012-11-05 06:52:28

No, they actually look like the kind of characters that are right up his alley. And it doesn't help that there is already that connection.