Now, a few things. I'm crossing my fingers that this will turn out all right. From what you can see in the trailer, it should be visually stunning. Hugh Jackman can play Valjean; this much is true. I still hesitate at the casting of Anne Hathaway as Fantine and Russell Crowe as Javert. Having heard Anne Hathaway perform live before, I know she has the chops for the part. It's the look that I worry about. After seeing Russell Crowe in the trailer, he (mostly) looks the part, though I'm convinced Javert is more of a well-shaven kind of guy. I'm worried that he doesn't have the right baritone singing voice for songs like "The Confrontation" and "Javert's Suicide.
Moving on, I'm not a fan of Amanda Seyfried, but at least she looks like a Cosette. Not sure about her singing ability (having not seen Mamma Mia! and who can even trust if that's her real ability to sing). Eddie Redmayne looks the Marius role, and I'm positive Sacha Baron Cohen will be amazing as Thénardier. I'm wishy-washy on Helena Bonham Carter, but I'm sure she'll fit as Madame Thénardier.
Best news I just read about it, though, is that the Bishop of Digne role will be played by none other than Colm Wilkinson, the original (and only, thank you very much) Jean Valjean from the first West End and Broadway productions.
Now, all we need are trailers with "Who Am I?" and "One Day More" as their soundtracks.
Okay . . . maybe I'm a little more excited than I'm letting on. I just hope it's not a heartbreaking disappointment.
Word to the Nerd
30 comments:
I've seen the original production in London so the movie has a lot to live up to.
I was going to comment on all this awesomeness, then I saw Alex's comment and got super jealous. Dang, that would be hard to live up to. Hopefully I can look past Ms. Hathaway. :)
OK. If you are hot for Hugh Jackman than it will be IMPOSSIBLE to be disappointed with this movie. Especially if he takes his shirt off. Can't wait!
I'm with you. Over the top with excitement! Hugh Jackman as Val Jean is going to be epic.
NOT a fan of Ann Hathaway. Kind of hate that she got the part. I hope she brings it, and changes my mind.
I heard "Who Am I", on Broadway, front row center, on my B-day, years ago. I don't think anything could EVER compare to that performance, but I'm really looking forward to seeing what they do with this :)
Is that really Anne Hathaway's voice singing in the trailer? Because if it is, I'm impressed.
Now, I'm also curious to know, are they adapting it directly from the musical (that's what it looks like to me) or more from the novel?
aw man... i'm just- i'm super excited about it!!! i really am!
i hope i'm not disappointed too!
i've never heard redmayne sing, but i totally have no doubts about his acting abilities in any role.
I believe Anne Hathaway will surprise everyone with her performance. I always get her and Rachel McAdams confused for some odd reason. LOL. It is a stunning trailer, Roland
Alex - Jealous. And very much agreed.
Cassie - I'm sure she'll be fine. She just seems too...not downtrodden-looking.
Minxy - *Fans self*
jaybird - Watching that show live on Broadway was spectacular. Loved every minute.
Matthew - It is her real voice. That's not to say they didn't auto-tune or whatever bullshit they do, but she definitely can sing, as evidenced by her live stuff.
vic - This.
Roland - I'm hoping she does. It is stunning.
I'm not a bit les mis fan. I think it's because i had a friend in highschool that LOVED IT and so it kind of turned me off. I should probably give it another shot
I first have to admit that I'm an idiot but Branden got a good laugh at my expense. After watching the trailrr I asked, "Why in the world did they have her sing the song from Cats???". So Branden had a good reason to burst out laughing at me and then my brain came back and I quickly realized that "Memory" was the song I was thinking of and OOOPSSS!!! Needless to say, I have listened to the CD's of Les Miserables a few times, seen the stage production in Edinburgh, and it's still just not my favorite. I think it's just my fierce loyalty to Phantom and my dislike for anything with a war type theme. But I still can't believe I thought the song was from Cats at first! (which I love the real animals but LOATH the production!)
I was EXTREMELY IMPRESSED with the musical (saw it in both London & L.A.) & am looking forward to the movie!!
So many of my favourite actors in this movie! I am looking forward to seeing this. I know Anne Hathaway has the voice for the part, but I agree, her looks are not what I would have imagined.
Allison (Geek Banter)
Ok, I'm doing this and risking public humiliation. I've never seen Les Miserables before! I know, I need to crawl out from under that rock. I am hoping that this adaptation will be good too, since it will most likely be the first I see. Hope you have been doing great!
So much awesomeness in this post but the first thing that popped to mind when you talked about listening to the radio is all the unfinished podcasts I have queing up!! That's not the kind of thing I should stress about, right??
I hope the film is good. I had the British cast on cassette and I wore out two copies of it before I finally got it on CD. Eponine is my favorite character.
Broadway buff AND nerd?
I was pleasantly surprised by the trailer last week. Didn't expect such a stylized film. I will watch it for my fave boys Eddie Redmayne (hope you saw him giving acting lessons in BIRDSONG) and Hugh!
Broadway lover and nerd just makes for a Renaissance Man, right? Thanks for giving me the catalyst for my own post, Roland
How many movies will they be making of Les Mis? In truth, I do not like musicals, and I like Les Mis.
I'm hoping this movie turns out really good. *fingers crossed*
Colm Wilkinson!!!!!! <---I didn't know that! Too cool.
I'm soooooo excited for this. I've watched the trailer a bazillion times. (Yes, I just said 'bazillion') I agree with the clean-shaven Javert thing...
Really though, I think it's going to be fabulous. I haven't been this excited for a movie in a LONG time.
I've seen the production in London and in Tampa. It is amazing and I'll be surprised if this compares.
Ah the anticipation and trepidation of something you love getting turned into a movie.
I might start a meditation temple for us nerdly folks where we chant, "Please let the thing we love that's being turned into a movie be good because I don't want to be disappointed, but if it does indeed suck, I shall remember that the thing I originally loved still exists and I can still love it." Possibly too wordy. Maybe.
I am certainly tempted to put this on my list of things to see after watching the trailer. Knowing that Hugh Jackman is in it makes it even more desirable :)
Sarah - I didn't get into it until I read the book in college. Then I saw the musical on Broadway. Fell in love completely then.
Princess - Scandal!
fishducky - I'm looking forward to it, but I'm trying to keep my expectations low, just in case.
Allison - Yes, thank you. I compare it to Halle Berry playing a destitute woman in MONSTER'S BALL.
TGFN - Hey there! Start reading the unabridged. It's 1600+ pages, so you need to dedicate some time to it. ;o)
Johanna - Once I catch up on TV shows and movies I haven't seen, then we can talk about podcasts.
Christine - I stole The Wife's 3-disc complete symphonic recording of Les Mis and keep it in my car. Happily, it survived the car wreck last year, even though one of the discs was in the player (and playing! and skipped!) when the impact occurred.
Patty - It's the BA in Theatre. I get that a lot.
DEZZ - I like the short hair/long-ass beard combo he was sporting at the beginning. He looks the part, I'll give him that.
Roland - Yes, I'm more a Renaissance Man than a metrosexual.
Libby - It's a classic. Public domain probably doesn't hurt its chances of being done again and again.
RaShelle - Fingers crossed, yes indeed.
Morgan - Re: Colm Wilkinson --> I KNOW! The clean-shaven thing is bothering me more than it should. It will still be fabulous.
Ciara - Just keep them fingers crossed!
Pickleope - The worst offense was when they made the most recent SHADOWRUN game, and turned it from an RPG into UNREAL TOURNAMENT.
Mynx - I'm pretty sure Hugh is going to be great in this. He definitely has the ability.
I hadn't seen that trailer--thanks for posting it!
Oh wow, I hadn't heard about this yet. I hope it lives up to its potential.
Golden Eagle - 'tis fantastic.
Ruth - Me, too.
I am super excited too! And after watching that trailer I am more so! Who knew Anne Hathaway could sort of sing?
Kato - I did. She sang at the Oscars a few years ago, and other places, too.
Post a Comment