Hugh Jackman set to star in Les Miserables

AussieTheatre.com understands that Australian film and musical theatre star Hugh Jackman is in discussions with producers for a role in the Universal Pictures musical adaptation Les Miserables.

As reported last month, film director Tom Hooper (The King’s Speech), will tackle the epic Boublil and Schönberg musical, based on the novel by Victor Hugo.

It is rumoured that Jackman will be playing the role of prisoner 24601- Jean Valjean, while Paul Bettany is picked to play the policeman Javert.

One of Hollywood’s biggest stars, and recognised the world over as X-Men character Wolverine, Jackman is a song-and-dance man from way back. Graduating from WAAPA (The Western Australian Academy of Performing Arts) in 1994, he has starred in countless musicals, including The Boy From Oz on Broadway, where he played flamboyant Australian icon, Peter Allen. (Pictured). He also starred as Curly McLain in the 1999 musical film Oklahoma!, directed by Trevor Nunn.

The 1998 adaptation of the novel Les Miserables, starring Liam Neeson, Geoffrey Rush and Uma Thurman was not a musical film. Hooper’s adaptation, however, is set to feature the songs of Boublil and Schönberg – including ‘I Dreamed A Dream’, ‘Bring Him Home’, ‘Do You Hear The People Sing’, and ‘One Day More’.

Les Miserables is set to arrive at the theaters in 2013 and Australian musical theatre audiences are waiting with baited breath: Bring Him Home!

See our previous article here:
Director Tom Hooper: From King’s Speech to Les Miserables?

Sources: Showblitz