LES MISERABLES - THE MOTION PICTURE is finally back on track!

[jo]

And what about Marion Cotillard as Fantine?

She's French, an Oscar-winning actress ( as Edith Piaf), and she can sing!

[Eris0303]

When I was in high school I used to say that if they made a movie they needed to cast Tim Curry as Javert. It's probably too late for that now but he's my dream film Javert.

[madbrian]

I could see Hugh Jackman as Valjean rather than Javert, and I would like to see Toni Collette as Fantine. I think Catherine O'Hara and Alan Cumming could play the Thenardiers.

[boredroom]

my choice for Valjean - not that anyone will care


Valjean

[songanddanceman2]

"Even Lloyd Webber thinks it would have been great if a proper singer would have done it. but it was her or no movie."

ALW was thrilled with Madonna in that role, on British TV he said she gave an incredible perfomance and he could not have imagined any other star bringing that role to life the way she did.
Madonna did a wonderful job on that movie and even got a Golden Globe for the role

Also Parker is one of the best filmakers around and it would have been a delight to see his Les Mis. Fame was incredible, i think people forget to just how wonderful that movie was because of the watered down TV series and Musical.

Les Mis is one that i think will be OK, but it's Miss Saigon that would have made the better movie

[ggersten]

Why does the actor playing Javert, Valjean or Fontine or any character have to sing themselves? Have we learned nothing from Pierce Brosnan in Mamma Mia?
If the studios can dub Rita Moreno, they can dub Tom Cruise as Valjean.

[LizzieCurry]

There are so many things wrong with what you just said.

[jimmycurry01]

"Why does the actor playing Javert, Valjean or Fontine or any character have to sing themselves? Have we learned nothing from Pierce Brosnan in Mamma Mia?
If the studios can dub Rita Moreno, they can dub Tom Cruise as Valjean."

Really? Dubbing is lame. If you are going to see one person, but hear another, why not simply cast the one you hear? There are plenty of Hollywood actors capable of singing, several have already been mentioned here. The answer to to Pierce Brsonan should simply have been to not cast him, or cut his song.

[jdtp12]

Actually, Webber said in an interview that a lot of the keys had to be lowered for Madonna in Evita and that it took a lot of the brightness out of the show.

And as far as dubbing goes, I think this movie would work the worst for that because it is through-sung. You would never even hear the actor's voice at all..

[themysteriousgrowl]

jdtp12, do you happen to know where Webber's on record with that? I've heard a lot of people talk about his beef(s) with the movie, but I've never actually read anything. It makes me very curious.

I ask because, despite what I often hear people say about the score being lowered *for* Madonna, I've never seen proof of that. I'd always heard that Parker lowered it because he thought that high key wouldn't work onscreen like it does onstage and wanted a more "conversational" sound for the movie... a decision I think works very well.

http://movies.uip.de/evita/soundtrack/index.html

Here's bits of some various interviewees on the subject.

[jdtp12]

Yep, found the interview on youtube. He starts to talk about it at about 5:20. Possibly Webber just was misinformed?


Here it is

[ClapYo'Hands]

Michael Barrymore did an interview with Andrew Lloyd Webber which can be found on Youtube. ALW said something like "It would have been nice if we could have got somebody who could sing the role. We had to lower the keys for Madonna"

I don't think there was any option but to lower the keys for Madonna. Could she sing Rainbow High in C#m? Hell no.

songanddanceman2, I completely agree about SAIGON.

[themysteriousgrowl]

Thanks, jp! I will watch that when I get home from work!

[kec]

Cameron Mackintosh has hinted to Baz Bamigboye (The Daily Mail) that Alfie Boe might just be the one to sing Valjean in the film version:

A New Album, a Starring West End Role in Les Miserables... Suddenly it's all go for Alfie Boe

[jdtp12]

Wow, I feel that him being in the film would be just perfect. I watched the concert in cinemas and thought he was incredible. I guess we'll see what happens.

[TheatreFan4]

Do we think Jenny Galloway has paid her dues to be in the film as Mme Thenardier or do you think they're going to for a well known comedienne?

[adamgreer]

Given how relatively easy the role is to sing, I would think Mme. Thenardier would be a role they could slip a celebrity into with minimal impact.

I am happy that they seem to be strongly considering Boe, who was remarkable in the concert.

[jo]

I guess we'll see how the casting decisions develop.

The movie has been such a long time coming. But based on what Baz B has shared -

*Script will be sent to the producers ( including Universal Studios) before year-end 2010
*Alfie is going into a six-month run of the stage version starting June 2011

Then it seems filming won't start till no earlier than early 2012, if Alfie is cast in the role. That could take another year ( filming and post-prod) before the movie hits the cinemas!

[ClapYo'Hands]

Can't they cast someone who can act as Valjean?

[jo]

I'd also like to see a powerhouse actor in the role of Valjean, ClapYo'Hands.

Someone with strong dramatic skills and can competently sing Valjean's songs.

[ClapYo'Hands]

Oh, i've no doubt Boe can competently sing Valjean (well, I know he can), I just there are better people for the role, acting-wise.

[hottieho13]

a friend of mine was saying that they'll probably get Rosie O' Donnell to play Mme Thenardier.I hope not.

[kev2]

If Thenardier's part is a celeb, I second Wlll Ferrel. He just has to paint a tooth black and smear on some of that silly beard make-up stuff. That guy could do this stuff in his sleep and still be funny. He sang in some of his SNL skits, in case you inquire his talent.

[My Oh My]

Les Mis is unusual in that people have very different perceptions of it. A lot of people view it as an epic, thunderous, overblown, beltfest; while others go the other extreme equating it with grand opera; and still others see it as something the likes of Tom Cruise, Will Ferrell; and Rosie O'Donnell would do it justice.

Not saying they aren't talented or that Les Mis is beneath or above them, but come now, if that style of performance is all it takes to fulfill the requirements of those roles in your minds and make y'all content, then any "funny guy" or "comedienne" is fair game. And why are people just now realizing they'd like to see someone who can actually act AND sing as Valjean? You'd think people wouldn't settle for less than one who could master both in such a role.

What's next? People not noticing they've been suckered into passively accepting the "new," "updated" orchestrations?

Oh, wait...

[lotiloti]

The movie IS happening. Cast will be mainly, British.It will not have 'stars'. The show is the star!

[madbrian]

I don't know if it's been suggested earlier in the thread, but I could see Jim Carrey as Thenardier. If it is going to be a Brit cast, then maybe Hugh Laurie.