Hugh Jackman and Russell Crowe to star in LES MISÉRABLES!

Enfin!!

Tom Hooper, Hugh Jackman, Russell Crowe

Announcement from official site:
"Working Title's live-action film adaptation of Cameron Mackintosh's hit stage musical LES MISERABLES by Boublil and Schonberg will directed by Tom Hooper (The King’s Speech) and written by William Nicholson. Universal Pictures are releasing the film worldwide.

The stage version of LES MISERABLES holds the record as the longest running musical in the world. To date is has been seen by nearly 60 million people in 42 countries and 21 languages. Last year, it celebrated it’s 25th anniversary.

Cameron Mackintosh commented, “Even though I have dreamt about making the film of LES MISERABLES for over 25 years, I could never have imagined that we would end up with the dream director Tom Hooper and the dream cast of Hugh Jackman [Jean Valjean] and Russell Crowe [Inspector Javert]. Not only were they born to play these roles vocally but they thrillingly inhabit this great score. Producing this film with Eric Fellner, Working Title and Universal Pictures is indeed a dream come true and I can’t want to hear the people sing at my local cineplex.”

Unofficial reports for casting possibilities:
Geoffrey Rush (Thernadier)
Helena Bonham Carter (Mme. Thenardier)
Anne Hathaway (Fantine)
Hayden Panettiere, Miranda Cosgrove, Lucy Hale, and Emma Watson for the roles of Eponine and Cosette

US release date is set for December 7, 2012.

Thanks to chocolaticing for the update!
As much as I'm not typically a fan of Russell Crowe, I was rooting for him to get this role once I heard that Alfie Boe was no longer being considered. I'm excited to have Tom Hooper behind the wheel and eager to see how Hugh Jackman inhabits Valjean! Finally, this musical is on its way!

Previous updates on film

Russell Crowe hoping to be cast in Les Miserables?

We already heard mention of Hugh Jackman being up for a role in the upcoming Les Miserables musical film and now it's official - Jackman will be portraying prisoner 24601, Jean Valjean in Tom Hooper's film!

I was curious to read that Russell Crowe has expressed an interest in the role of Javert and have to admit that I would be keen on seeing him join the film. However, it sounds like Paul Bettany is likely to be cast as the determined inspector who tracks down Valjean.

I'm excited that Hooper (The King's Speech) will be at the helm and happy to hear that filming is expected to begin in February 2012!

Source: Baz Bamigboye

Colin Firth & Geoffrey Rush - video from SBIFF

Colin Firth and Geoffrey Rush have expressed during various press conferences and interviews about how their friendship bonded during the filming of The King's Speech so it was fun to see Colin present the Montecito Award to his pal Geoffrey at the Santa Barbara International Film Festival. The Montecito Award is given to a performer “who has given a series of classic and standout performances in his/her career.”

Happy reunion on the red carpet at the Oscars

Video: Geoffrey and cast of King's Speech honoured at SBIFF

Colin Firth presenting Montecito Award to Geoffrey Rush at SBIFF
(transcript of part of above video):
"Geoffrey was with us for only 4 weeks of a 7 week shoot. And the word somehow got around that I was inconsolable at his departure. And I would like to set the record straight on this matter. It is perfectly true that I had a moment of regret at the departure of a respected colleague, but there was nothing emotionally unstable about it. In fact the day after he abandoned us for his meaningless play in Australia, I strode off to the set with a huge smile on my face and the air of a man of ambition, brisk, and Tom Hooper, I saw him out of the corner of my eye, giving me an exasperatingly knowing look, and he said “I feel exactly the same way.” And I calmly inquired whether he wanted to get on with the bloody scene. And we had a joyless morning. And I went back to my trailer and bit into my blue grey popping quills (I have no idea what that means) and I noticed a strange pair of underpants, and the next thing was an unfamiliar pair of socks and they made a trail towards the bed in the trailer and then I noticed to my horror that there was someone sleeping in the bed. The blankets were pulled up, and I approached with trepidation and I peeled back the blankets and I shrieked like a school girl “It’s Geoffrey!” Or rather, someone had pasted Geoffrey’s face onto a mannequin. It was just some clever clogs’ idea of grief counseling. They thought it would help. And so never been one to let anything go to waste, I picked him up and propped him up at the little dining table in the trailer. And yet, I have to say, he proved a remarkably effective therapist during the ensuing weeks. He wasn't quite as animated as I was used to... He was a good listener and he was cheap."
source

Tom Hooper's next project?

After his Best Director win at the Oscars, it will be interesting to see which film project Tom Hooper takes on next. Possibilities mentioned are a 17th century book adaptation set in the Netherlands or a 19th century adaptation set in France...

From Deadline:
"Hooper seems to be getting serious about resuscitating the Deborah Moggach novel Tulip Fever as a possible next directing vehicle. That project had been on the verge of being put in turnaround at Paramount, but the studio could be involved as a co-financier with TWC. The film's set in 17th Century Amsterdam, where a married woman and an artist hired to paint her portrait begin a passionate affair and gamble on the booming market for tulip bulbs as a way to raise money to run away together. The film has been a passion for such directors as John Madden and Peter Chelsom over the past decade, and once had Keira Knightley and Jude Law once planning to play the lovers."

"Hooper is also mulling Les Miserables"
Hmmm, wonder if Hooper has much experience with musicals because I am waiting with high expectations for the musical film planned by Cameron Mackintosh.

Videos: Colin Firth & The King's Speech on Oprah

Tom Hooper, Geoffrey Rush and Colin Firth

appeared on Oprah's talk show on Monday, Feb.28th
following Sunday's triumph at the Oscars.

Watch video: Colin Firth and Geoffrey Rush talk of their friendship

Watch video: Colin Firth and Tom Hooper - Backstage interview (Oprah)

Watch video: Geoffrey Rush - Backstage interview (Oprah)

Geoffrey Rush: "[Colin] did the most beautiful thing... when I arrived on the red carpet. I ran over and gave him a big hug and he took a 1946 King George VI shilling out of his pocket and gave it to me as a gift.

Cute anecdote from Tom Hooper (upon receiving BEST DIRECTOR at Oscars):
Tom says being up on stage was a blur but he did remember one thing—he forgot to email back Hilary Swank! He says when the actress came onto the stage to present the Best Director award, he suddenly remembered that she had sent him a nice email that he never responded to.
"When I got up on the stage, I kissed her hello and I told her I'm sorry and how much I loved the email and she said, 'I can't believe you're using the Kodak Theatre and winning the Oscar to tell me that."

Read recent posts on COLIN FIRTH

The King's Speech reigns at the Oscars!

Congratulations to THE KING'S SPEECH!

Winner of 4 Academy Awards:
BEST PICTURE
BEST ACTOR (Colin Firth)
BEST DIRECTOR (Tom Hooper)
BEST SCREENPLAY (David Seidler)

Colin Firth

Firth and Tom Hooper

David Seidler

Livia said on her blog: "We're off! Here's the Gary Harvey dress... This is the first picture for you. I'll explain the corsetry/engineering and everything else as we go... Eleven dresses in one, vintage/thrift/charity shop buys all from the era of The King's Speech. Every part is recycled, repurposed, upcycled. It feels amazing (corset not withstanding!). Colin, I think, looks incredibly handsome. "

Colin Firth's entire Oscar acceptance speech

Photos: Access Hollywood, Livia's blog, The Guardian, Winnipeg Sun

Colin Firth - press images for The King's Speech

Looking forward to Sunday's broadcast of The Oscars and Mr. Colin Firth's anticipated crowning as Best Actor for his role in The King's Speech! I'm tickled that the film has received such acclaim and I'm eager to see how the film will fare in its 12 nominated categories! I'll be preparing for the event by attending a screening in the afternoon after having found someone who's not yet seen the film and eager to go with me!

Here are some images from the film's premiere at the Berlin International Film Festival which was attended by Colin Firth, Helena Bonham Carter and director Tom Hooper.

Here's a BBC interview done with Helena and Colin (1/7/2011)

Photos: Zimbio

The King's Speech reigns at the BAFTA's!

The King's Speech took home 7 BAFTA Awards: Best Film, Outstanding British Film, Best Actor (Colin Andrew Firth), Best Supporting Actor (Geoffrey Rush), Best Supporting Actress (Helena Bonham Carter), Original Screenplay (David Seidler), & Original Music (Alexandre Desplat)!

Colin Firth's acceptance speech

Helena Bonham Carter's acceptance speech

Watch video: Helena Bonham Carter on red carpet at BAFTA

Watch video: Tom Hooper on red carpet at BAFTA

Interviews from Oscar Luncheon...

Tom Hooper hoping to work with Colin Firth again

Tom Hooper and Colin Firth are apparently both intent on finding a joint film project so they can work together again after their shared experience in The King's Speech.

3 Amigos: Tom Hooper, Colin Firth & Geoffrey Rush

Hooper has said of Firth, "It’s all about the work. He’s very, very bright and he’s very good on script and story and structure. I could talk to him about anything, any aspect of the storytelling. And I love it when actors become true collaborators on the mission of the storytelling, not just what they’re doing as a character. It makes it very exciting.”

Video montage of Tom Hooper's films
Interview with Tom Hooper

The King's Speech Receives Royal Approval!

From The Telegraph:
The Queen is said to have given her blessing to the Oscar-nominated film The King's Speech after watching it in a private screening.

The movie portrays her father King George VI's battle against his speech impediment and also features a young Princess Elizabeth. The Queen was given a private screening of the film in Sandringham and sources have said she found the portrayal "moving".

Screenwriter David Seidler, who was asked by the Queen Mother to delay writing the script, said approval from the Queen was the ultimate honour.

"When her mother asked me 30 years ago to wait, because the memory of these events were still too painful, I understood the intense feelings that were involved," he said. "And now that the film has been written and made with love, and respect, and admiration, the fact that Her Majesty has recognised this is incredibly and wonderfully gratifying."

The Weinstein Company said:
“On behalf of the director Tom Hooper; the producers, Iain Canning, Emile Sherman, Gareth Unwin; Colin Firth, Geoffrey Rush, Helena Bonham Carter and our entire ensemble cast: we are deeply honored and humbled by Her Majesty’s appreciation of the film,” Harvey Weinstein said in a statement Friday. “It was a labor of love for all of us and this is high praise, indeed.”

I'm so pleased for Seidler and director Tom Hooper who have laboured so long for this film,
attempting to due the story justice and now to know that the Queen approves their efforts!

Photo of Seidler: Alberto E. Rodriguez

More on THE KING'S SPEECH

The King's Speech: Video of Q&A in London - Jan 20

For fans who can't get enough of The King's Speech, Weinstein has made available a streaming of a Question and Answer session recorded in Wadsworth Theatre in Los Angeles after a screening featuring: Colin Firth, Helena Bonham Carter, Claire Bloom, Director Tom Hooper, Guy Pearce. [60 minutes long]

Watch video

A 2nd press conference has been added on USTREAM this time with Colin Firth, Helena Bonham Carter, Claire Bloom and Tom Hooper answering questions regarding the film. [London at the Clapham Picture House]