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It's A Four-Woman Competition For The Role Of Eponine In LES MISERABLES!
Beaks here...
(I'm assuming you've read or seen some version of LES MISERABLES. If you haven't, skip this article 'cuz I'm-a spoil the shit out this bitch.)
Eponine. It's the role every ingenue in Hollywood who can at least carry a tune covets. In Claude Michel Shonberg's musical rendition of Victor Hugo's LES MISERABLES, she's the unhappy soul who confesses her unrequited love for Marius via the heartbreaking showstopper "On My Own". It's like Effie in DREAMGIRLS: nail the song, and the Best Supporting Actress Oscar is yours.
When it was announced earlier this year that KING'S SPEECH director Tom Hooper would be bringing the beloved musical to the big screen, I figured Anne Hathaway was the obvious choice. Instead, she landed the part of Fantine, which gives her the show's first big tearjerker ("I Dreamed a Dream"), a pretty good death scene (though not as good as Eponine's), and little else.
With Hathaway out of the running, I figured it was only a matter of time before GLEE's Lea Michele started gunning for Eponine (she warbled "On My Own" during the show's first season) - and, according to the New York Post, she's definitely in the running. But she's got serious, big-name competition: Scarlett Johansson, Evan Rachel Wood and Taylor Swift.
Honestly, out of these four... I really want Hathaway to drop Fantine and win her first Oscar. Barring that, I think I prefer Taylor Swift. Though she's yet to impress me as an actress (yes, I sat through VALENTINE'S DAY one truly pathetic night), she's got a great an above-average voice, genuine screen presence and an innate sweetness that could really bring the house down when she belts out her big song. I can't stand her music, but Swift is just downright likable. As for the others, I love Johansson, but she's got a smoky voice that's all wrong for Eponine; Wood's a fine actress, but her singing in ACROSS THE UNIVERSE left a lot to be desired (very thin tone); and Michele, the best singer of this group, is simply too grating for my taste.
Unless there's a dark horse we don't know about, I'm going to meekly throw my support behind Taylor Swift. I can't see her winning an Oscar right now, but I certainly didn't think Jennifer Hudson was an instant frontrunner when she was cast in DREAMGIRLS. And yet I have a feeling Hooper will go with Johansson.
Readers Talkback
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....horrible casting. I have no idea if she has the voice. But she strikes me as lacking Fantine's grit and fortitude....she strikes me more as a Cosette. But hey, I hope she proves me wrong....and sorry Beaks, I think she would make a terrible Eponine as well.
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...actually was shockingly awesome as Marius, which was always the most annoying role in the musical for me. Always felt the douchebag needed to be slapped around continuously. But Nick Jonas made me appreciate the role. So maybe, Anne Hathaway can do the same?
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Which is way too on the nose considering fanboys want her for every other female role in existence.
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Eponine? The waif-y, dirty tomboy character? Played by Taylor SWIFT? Notsogoodanidea. Somehow I think Hathaway can nail Fantine. But to be honest, she's a little aged-out of playing Cosette or Eponine.
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Why is Anne Hathaway so great? I don't necessary hate her or anything, but I fail to see why so many people gush over what an incredible actress she is. The same way I fail to see why so many people think Scarlett Johansson is some icon of womanly perfection. I mean, I've seen vastly hotter women in stores and on the streets, made even more appealing by the fact that I might almost have a shot with them. Maybe I'm just out of touch with what makes this new generation of celebrities so amazing.
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Fuck, Beaks! I know the book/play/musical is like 100 years old, but why the fuck do you feel the need to spoil 2 characters deaths for a movie that hasn't come out yet? Jeez!
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So get real. If she gets the part I'm outta there, for sure. Lea Michelle has got the fucking pipes for the role and should get it, hands down. I've never heard Evan Rachel Wood sing, but she's got the acting chops, for sure. ScarJo? Gimme a fucking break! No discerning acting ability and can hold an auto-tune, but that's all folks!
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I think its gonna be Lea Michele; she's cheap to get and she's in a "hit" TV show which means she's a "rising star". Johansson can't act. I'm sorry. She can't. Just because a woman is attractive and doesn't act like an idiot doesn't make her special. It makes her NORMAL. The men in the entertainment industry obviously don't get that; any female star as attractive as Johansson, and doesn't show her tits in every other role, is automatically proclaimed "intelligent" and "strong" and smothered with romanticism in the hopes of drowning out the echo of those same men masturbating to the thought of her. You'll see this phenomenon first-hand if she gets the role; she'll be absolutely meh in the part, but will still garner award nominations and thumbs up from the male entertainment writers for her "intelligent" and "strong" portrayal. Rossum has proven herself to have the range and talent to covet this part. So, of course, she won't get it.
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But I would forfeit a lung to twist the pickle with Evan Rachel Wood. That girl is go-geous.
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Read what's written in red above the article.
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Michele is the best for the role. Hathaway is a clear second place, but everyone else is waaaay behind her. Swift doesn't have the range or strength.
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http://www.variety.com/article/VR1118046802
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Nov. 30, 2011, 10:01 p.m. CST
Anne Hathaway is a horrible actress/tool. Wish it wasn't a musical
by thedarklingthrush
chewbacca forever
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Lea Michelle had the role of Young Cosette on Broadway when she was very young. I just don't see Taylor Swift getting the role over Lea's experience and voice.
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Kim Kardashian's butt as Eponine, she's the one who began it . . .
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I mean - is there any question?
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Nov. 30, 2011, 10:50 p.m. CST
BUTTHEAD: This Less Miserables-looking thing sucks
by Nasty In The Pasty
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Nov. 30, 2011, 10:51 p.m. CST
After the inn keepers, this is the role with biggest "show stealer" potential
by SunsetLament
Just make sure the girl can belt out On My Own.
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...I just can't take live-action musicals.
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to Lea Michele. Another actress who I think deserves a look is Haley Bennett who is most famous for her Britney Spears-like character on "Music and Lyrics." Bennett is both a musician and acting in movies. Her next movie will be in Terrence Malick's "Lawless."
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Nov. 30, 2011, 11 p.m. CST
Also, three of the actresses named are all wrong for the part
by SunsetLament
Scarlett Johansson, Evan Rachel Wood and Taylor Swift would all be terrible choices. Borderline criminal. Screw going with "big" names and get Samantha Barks from the stage.
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"What film should Todd Solondz remake?" my first nomination: Baby Geniuses.
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Nov. 30, 2011, 11:10 p.m. CST
What film should Todd Solondz remake...ill play
by Wilford_Brimleys_Diabetes_Rage
my nomination: Kick-Ass
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One of the few bright spots to take away from Taymor's Across the Universe (listen to her version of Blackbird).
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She would be good for Eponine if she could sing
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I am bobo_vision.
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It wasn't there in red when I posted. You're welcome!
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I have always pictured Eponine as a brunette and on the younger side. ScarJo is too old and too blonde. Same with Wood. Don't know the Glee chick. Taylor Swift doesn't have the voice to kill "On My Own"
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Dec. 1, 2011, 12:06 a.m. CST
Les Miz is Good an' All, but the Next Musical That Needs Film Adaption Is:
by fain88
Assassins. Fact! Someone make it happen.
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The girl is virtually tone deaf. Her auto-tuned studio voice barely resembles her awful, often out-of-tune "live" voice. Not to mention she's nearly 6 feet tall and gawky. At least Lea Michele can act AND sing.
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I LOVE Assassins, but it never felt particularly cinematic to me, at least in terms of narrative. I don't know if it would work...but I'd be interested to see someone give it a go.
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Les Miserables is one of those few musicals like Jesus Christ Superstar and Sweeney Todd that people who generally hate musicals can still enjoy. I spent the first 22 years of my life despising musicals and then I saw Les Mis on broadway and it turned me into a fan. It's really good. I've taken a lot of my friends who don't like musicals to see it when it came around to my city and most of them liked it. The only real problem is that its over 3 hours long and it REQUIRES great voices unlike something like Grease. None of these actors have great voices, although Hathaway sounded pretty good when she sang on the Simpsons. I'm more worried about Jackman and Crowe than her. For Eponine, I agree with the guy who said Emmy Rossum. Anyway, go watch the 10th anniversary concert from London and it will turn you into a fan. I'd say its the 2nd best musical of the past 35 years after Assassins. I agree with fain88 that Assassins could make an awesome flick, but with all the political nonsense going on right now, I doubt Hollywood would make a film that makes light of presidential assassinations.
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Forget about any Hollywood actress. If you don't get someone with a great voice, forget it. Look to the London and NY stage and go with the best. A "pretty good" voice for this role is unacceptable.....ditto for every role. Ok, ok, for the Innkeeper you can go with a big name with a gravely voice...but that's it!
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I don't know if any roles have been cast, but God, if they go with a big name actor for Jean Valjean the whole musical will blow. Not a single Hollywood star has the chops to pull it off, not one. If you don't believe me, just listen to the cast album, or watch one of the Les Miserables reunions.
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Okay, my favorite musical at least. This could either be phenomenal or complete dog shit, I don't see too much middle ground here. Also agreed with above posters who state you NEED great singers for this, not "name" actors. Hugh has proven himself but no one else from the cast really has, just have to wait and see I guess.
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The Movie version of Phantom could have been perfection, except for every single time that the actor who played the Phantom sang I wanted to claw my ears it was so horrible.
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@room23storeblogspot.com: You mean Gerard Butler?
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None of these bitches can act, and the first two can't even sing, for fuck's sake. I'm with Tophat on this one: where the hell is Emmy Rossum, and why hasn't she been offered this role already? She's gorgeous, she has a beautiful pitch-perfect voice, and she actually has the eyes to sell the joy and heartbreak of the character. So what if the movie version of Phantom sucked balls... that's what happens when you can a bunch of Big-Names that can't effing sing... wasn't her fault she couldn't carry the whole damn movie for them.
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the highlight of the show...
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Once you've heard a tone-deaf Scotsman belt out Whitney Housten, you understand why there's no shame in just dubbing over famous actors with somebody else singing. I get the need to have famous actors to sell the movie and do the acting parts of a musical, but do we really need to humour these big stars by letting them do their own singing when they're really not up to the task?
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kidding, kinda. but imagine the neardgasm resulting from starting that rumor...
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...bet you she gets cast as Cosette. That's the more operatic role.
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She's been performing 'On My Own' in the spotlight for many years. This is from a rehearsal for a 'Les Mis' in concert at the Hollywood Bowl. Say what you want, she owns that song.
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http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0kbzy8E5cdM&feature=youtube_gdata_player
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I thought we had a Les Miserables movie with Liam Neeson. If people want to see the story in movie form, isn't that already out there? God, I hate Hollywood these days.
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....apparently ya don't know Broadway.
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Dec. 1, 2011, 7:28 a.m. CST
and yeah, I also missed whatever it is that makes people respect Anne Hathaway
by Spandau Belly
I mostly just find her annoying.
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for the role
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Please god don't cast her in Les Mis. How in the hell can any guy anywhere like her? She is awful. Swift is the least bad option listed.
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Why not just go with a proven commodity in the role? Lea Salonga? Wonderful actress, wistful as all get out, and she's played the hell out of the role before. I mean yeah, okay...she's forty...but she looks great, and Eponine's face is usually covered with shmutz anyway, so age isn't that much of a factor. PAD
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She would be amazing. But if they're going for someone with screen cred (which I'm sure they will) Lea Michele has by far the best voice of those four. ScarJo is too old for Eponine, and neither she nor Wood have the singing chops to do the character justice. I'd describe Swift's voice as "sweet", but I've never seen her show any real power or range. Maybe some stage training would make her better? I highly doubt Emmy Rossum will be allowed within a mile of this movie. She already played Christine in the Phantom movie, and no one making this will want the inevitable comparisons.
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....but why not Fantine? She killed I Dreamed A Dream....agreed she is arguably one of the best Eponines on record, but her age would allow her Fantine....and I am UNCONVINCED that Anne Hatheway has the pipes. I cannot see her belting out I Dreamed A Dream with even a smidgeon of the power necessary....ugh. But of the four in contention, Lea Michelle has the best "Eponine" voice, but... I saw Lea Michelle play Chava in Fiddler a few years ago, and was so unimpressed by her that I didn't know it was her until now. I can't remember a thing she did.
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Dec. 1, 2011, 9:05 a.m. CST
I with that Glee chick, great pipes and I love her busted nose...
by Billyeveryteen
Seriously, it's all about the pipes. Lose Crowe now.
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She's just too old for Eponine. Emma Watson would be great, if she could sing.
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http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=izgc7IhcGG4&feature=related
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as jean val jean...
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Alun Armstrong as Thenardier
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None of those chicks can hold a candle to Lea's voice. IMHO, the only other voice I'd think about is that of Diana Agron.
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Dec. 1, 2011, 9:30 a.m. CST
As a long-time Broadway fan and lifetime heterosexual male.....
by jawsfan
Cast the role for the voice, not the celeb status. That role requires a B'way trained voice, not a generic pop star or a movie star trying to stretch her vocal wings. I know the business of Hollywood values buzz over talent. We all know that. But for a movie to have legs it has to succeed on its own merits, and a big part of that is proper casting. There are probably three dozen suitable candidates for this role sloshing it out on the boards of The Great White Way right this damn minute. And you know what, plenty of professional theater actress/singers are HOT! Being good looking gets you a call-back but being talented gets you on stage. Plenty of fabulous singers are already out there though unknown to the general, celeb-obsessed public. Time to give them a look. And I think Anne Hathaway is cute but she's not the end-all, be-all of acting or singing. She'll get a lot of work and accolades basically for just showing up to work. That's how Hollywood works. She'll be the next Kim Basinger, in that she'll win a Best Supporting Actress Oscar one day simply for showing up in the film and looking glamorous and fuckable. Her acting will have little or nothing to do with it.
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...you hit the nail on the head. End of debate.
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Really, if the girl can sing just hand her the role please! Lea Michelle makes me want to crawl out of my own skin. I hate to judge her acting capabilities on the fact that she seems like a complete bitch but her being cast in this movie would be a complete deal breaker for me unless her death secne is super violent. She is just like nails on a blackboard. Emma Watson is beautiful, endearing and a genuinely fine actress. The role demands you sympathize with the character. Again, if she can sing at all I don't see a better choice.
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so in that case i will boycott this movie. and anyway i think this will be a huge disaster becuase whoever they cast as jean val jean will not be able to hold a candle to Colm Wilkinson the man who originated the role both in the west end and on broadway.
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I am a Les Miz fan. A big one. I saw it opening night in London and New York and 4 times besides. IMO nobody will ever match Frances Roufel (sp?) in this part. However, I have been thinking, and I have a suggestion that will shock most, until you think as long as I have: Emma Stone. She has the potential to knock this one of the park. IMO
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Given the poor film adaptations recently of The Producers and Phantom of the Opera, the so-so version of Chicago, and the really horrible Mama Mia, I have no hope that this will be a good film. None of the women mentioned have any hope of performing the role with any quality. I really want to be surprised because it is a great story with incredible music.
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Dec. 1, 2011, 12:07 p.m. CST
this is like saying "Four-Woman Competition for the Right to be Sacrificed on an Altar"
by smudgewhat
most musicals are such crap. why can't they write something good?
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Dec. 1, 2011, 12:34 p.m. CST
there are three musicals which are the best that I have seen
by emeraldboy
1. cameron mackintosh's london palladium production of oliver. 2. the london original production of Les Miserables which was brought over by harry crosbie for the his old point theatre, now the O2. 3. cats. which was brought over lock, stock and barrell to the point theatre. and tied for third place is lord webbers 2000 reimaging of jesus christ superstar.
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Eponine, is a poor, sad, ugly character. She is the daughter of the despicable Thenadier's. She is one of the "Les Miserables", in every sense of the word. She is the girl who no one really likes, but everyone knows. She falls hard for her neighbor and idealist Marius, who is himself, in love with Cosette, which is where the song "On My Own" really hits hard. Taylor Swift, Scarlett Johannson are both beyond wrong, for this part. The only name, I have seen that might work, is Emma Stone.
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trey and matt would disagree. book of mormon won 9 tony awards. it is the most successful commercial debut in modern broadway history.
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Dec. 1, 2011, 1 p.m. CST
re: "Screw going with "big" names and get Samantha Barks from the stage."
by jim
Agreed, but it seems like they are looking to make this an "All-Star Cast!" movie. If not Barks, I too think Emmy Rossum would make a great Eponine. Apart from whether or not they can sing the roles, I have a problem with the Jackman & Crowe casting too. Jackman seems to me to be better suited for the Javert role and Crowe for Jean Valjean. As for the actresses mentioned above, Taylor Swift strikes me as more appropriate for Cosette than Eponine (on her looks, not familiar with her voice). Lea Michelle seems to be the obvious choice. Perhaps that's why the thought of that doesn't thrill me. As Beaks said, it is a potential Oscar winning role. However, for an unknown talent, it can be a star-making role. Cast a talented unknown, make her a star with the role, and when it comes out on DVD they can still boast the "All Star Cast!" cast.
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For what it's worth. By far. However, the magic of movies can do a lot with a sub-par voice (see: Renee Zellweger in Chicago, Joaquin Phoenix in Walk the Line). So as long as they all know how to carry a tune, I don't know if that's going to be the ultimate requirement. Still I would say no to Scarlett Johansson because in nobody's right mind does she fit the description of "tomboyish." And she's also a little old to be playing a girl. Basically, she's all wrong for Eponine. So I'm sure she'll get the part. I've got nothing against her personally or as an actress, but I'm getting kind of sick of seeing her name in the running for characters that she's got no business playing (i.e. 15-years-older Matt Damon's love interest in We Bought A Zoo; Lisbeth Salander in Girl with the Dragon Tattoo). Come on, casting directors. I know everybody loves boobs, but use your imagination once in a while.
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I realize you're likely a lonely troll looking for attention in a forum you clearly have no interest in, but I state the following case you're genuinely confused: You've stumbled upon a thread which is discussing the casting of the female lead in a film adaptation of likely the most beloved musical in Broadway history. It played for twenty three years in its initial run, and still sells out in London every night (twenty six years and counting) and its U.S. tour. The adaptation is being directed by the reigning Oscar winner for Best Director and has gotten commitments from Hugh (Tony Award) Jackman, Russell (Oscar) Crowe, Geoffrey (Oscar) Rush and Helena Bonham Carter (who was in Fight Club and that's all you need to know). I doubt very sincerely that you will like Les Miserables, and encourage you to not waste your money on either the movie or the tour when it comes to your metro area, but should you choose to see it, you'll be the better for it. Either way, it's of no concern to me, save for this: Try to stop being such a jackass.
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is a one off centenary 1916 les mis tie in for 2016. for london, dublin and new york and or chicago. have the bullet ridden gpo in the back ground. or better yet have the cast of micheal collins the musical sing the songs of les mis.
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Why not throw Chad Kroeger in the mix for a male role since he's famous for writing the same song over and over again too!
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Confused about the 1916 thing. Les Miz took place in 1815, 1823, and 1832. Where does 1916 figure into the whole thing?
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Beaks, have you ever seen Les Miserables (the musical, not the film adaptation/abortion). If you have and you still think Swift should get the part you should hand in your critic's card and start flippin' burgers brother... Taylor Swift for Eponine is the most asinine, ridiculous, straight-up retarded endorsement since John McCain gave the thumbs up to Sarah Palin! To be fair, that Palin endorsement was simple insanity and had much more frightening and potentially devastating implications, however you see where I am going here. Anne Hathaway is a marginally talented (at best) actress;I cringe when I think of her as Fantine. More over she is awkward looking and as interesting as porridge; most certainly less interesting than Genesis P-Orridge. That chick from Glee is horrible, annoying and should not be considered for anything other than a sterilization initiative. Oh yeah, Glee girl is also not what I would call "Attractive" - WOOF!! If the producers/director/casting director had half a brain, they would hold auditions and take the best of the lot - not who is on the cover of People magazine most often. Better yet, why not allow girls that actually play the role on Broadway, The West End in London, Yonge Street in Toronto, etc. a chance at the brass ring. They can sing, are intimately familiar with the production and deserve the opportunity. Fuck that Glee chick and Fuck Taylor Swift.
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I see what you've done there and I approve your message... bravo.
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The all favorites of the original Broadway and London cast ( particularly Colm Wilkenson and Michael Ball, but I'm partial to Roger Allam as well ) could have been able to reprise their roles, and would have done a great job. But now they're all too old. It's bullshit that Hollywood won't cast Stage actors most of the time. Think about what would have happened to The Kind and I without Yul Brynner? The Music Man without Robert Preston? Jesus Christ Superstar without Ted Neeley and Carl Anderson That's all I can think of right now... my theater/drama geek brain hasn't been used in awhile.
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Alan Rickman, hands down. If he won't go for it, another good choice could be Hugh Laurie. And I think an interesting choice for Jean Valjean could be Jason Statham.
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Think about what would have happened to My Fair Lady without Julie Andrews? They would have replaced her with Audrey Hepburn, and made an all time classic. Evita without Patti Lupone? They cast Madonna against type and made a very highly regarded film. Stage actors are brilliant craftsmen and they know the role, but they don't sell. If a producer had a choice between a 45 year old Colm Wilkinson (who created the role of Jean Valjean) or Hugh Jackman, it's Jackman every day of the week and twice on Sunday. If they were determined to throw away money, they might as well find a charity.
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Did you all ask her out and she turned you down? I expect this is more about 'Glee' hate, and that wouldn't surprise me coming from the typical AICN neanderthal - but it's unexpected from the posters in this TB who actually know something about musicals. Hotness aside (I think she's pretty fine, myself), she has already held her own vocally on 'Glee' with Kristen Chenoweth and Idina Menzel - you don't get better than that. I hope she plays the role.
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Simply because Hugh has previously worked with her before. Don't think that they can't simply MAKE her sound "Un..smoky" fuck give me a break!
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They need stage actors who can actually sing this stuff. And don't go all "the stage is the stage and the movie is the movie" on me. The story is the story and should be told in the best way possible. This film could be one for the ages IF they nail the casting...and the fact that Scarlet is even MENTIONED means this project is heading for disaster.
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She's been on broadway before and in the reefer madness movie she doesn't have a bad voice and the bitch will never age I think make her a brunette and ur good but other then her Hathaway would prob be best
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Or is that Beaks has never actually heard Taylor Swift "sing." Those are the only two possible explanations for suggesting that she should even be allowed in the same city during the filming of this movie.
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javert....
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Dec. 2, 2011, 4:53 p.m. CST
SELENA GOMEZ!!!! OMG!!!! EEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE!!!!!!!!!
by MrMysteryGuest
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I love musical theater, but this is looking to be another poorly cast 2004 Phantom debacle, where the producers take an amazing, beautiful show, and turn it into cheap teenage trash. I'm alright with Jackman, but the rest of the cast shouldn't be near this, simply because none of them can really sing. Lea Michele is actually the best choice out of these four. She's the only one who's actually done musical theater before, and can actually sing amazingly well, despite the fact that Glee autotunes the crap out of her for no apparent reason.
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