Crowe and Bonham Carter join Jackman in Les Miserables

When the word was out that Hugh Jackman was to be cast in the film adaptation of Les Miserables, based on the stage musical of the same name, it seemed like a perfect choice for casting. It would later be revealed that Jackman would play Jean Valjean, a man who after spending nearly two decades in prison for stealing, decides to change his fate by breaking his parole and starting a new life under a new identity. Jackman has both experience with theatre productions (Oklahoma!, A Boy From Oz, and recently A Steady Rain) as well as period films including The Prestige, Australia and and romantic comedy Kate & Leopold.   Jackman no doubt has the skills and experience needed to bring this emotional story to the big screen and it seems that director Tom Hooper (The King’s Speech) has chosen two other big stars to headline his drama. Russel Crowe has recently been announced to be cast in the role of Inspector Javert, the side of the law who pursues Valjean with a firm belief that people are incapable of changing their ways. Now if you have watched, read or listened to any form of media in 2000, you would know “Our Russel” won the Best Actor Oscar for playing the self-titled “Gladiator” and despite the odd game of phone-toss has been staring a string of successful Hollywood films. While many would agree he is a talented actor, others would doubt his singing abilities. However, what many people wouldn’t know is that Crowe’s career began on the stage. In the late eighties, Crowe played the role of Mickey in the Australian production of the Rocky Horror Picture Show, and while Frank-N-Furter’s mansion is decades away from nineteenth century France (literally) it proves nothing else he can sing. Plus cheering on his Rabittohs every week should strengthen the lungs for those baritone numbers.
Another casting announcement is that Helena Bonham Carter (stared in Hooper’s the King Speech) has been cast playing the role of Madame Thénardier, the wife of an innkeeper. Helena Bonham Carter has already proved her singing abilities by playing Mrs Lovett, the female lead in 2007’s Sweeny Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street, directed by frequent collaborator and partner Tim Burton. In the film, Bonham Carter role required her to sing several of the film’s musical numbers and see received critical phrase for her performance as well as a Golden Globe nomination.  No word yet on who will play her husband Thénardier, although Matt Lucas (Little Britain, Alice in Wonderland) played the role in the 25th anniversary tour so he seems like a strong chance.  The film is set to begin filming in the U.K in February with an overseas release date of Christmas 2012.