Hugh Jackman in Talks to Star in ‘Les Miserables’ Adaptation (original) (raw)
Hugh Jackman is in talks to star Universal and Working Title’s big-screen musical adaptation of Les Miserables, to be directed by The King’s Speech helmer Tom Hooper.
If a deal makes, Jackman would play Jean Valjean, the man who steals bread to feed his sister and spends the ensuing years in prison (or trying to escape it) while also becoming the guardian of a young woman named Cosette, all against the backdrop of a 19th century French rebellion.
William Nicholson wrote the script. The story is based on the Victor Hugo book but best known to millions as one of the longest-running musicals around.
Les Miz, as it’s lovably known, would be the first time that Jackman, a singer and dancer with a Tony Award for his role in The Boy from Oz, would perform on the big screen. The WME-repped actor was scheduled to reprise his role as Wolverine in a sequel that was to have shot later this year, but the lack of a director on the project has thrown a wrench into that timetable.
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