Russell Crowe will depart from his usual action roles and instead give his vocal cords a workout in ‘The King’s Speech’ Director Tom Hooper’s big screen adaptation of London’s West End musical, ‘Les Miserables’.
The Oscar winning actor has been confirmed for the role of bad guy Inspector Javert, and will star alongside Hugh Jackman who is set to play protagonist, Jean Valjean.
‘Les Miserables’, a story of redemption, love and morality, is set in nineteenth century France and follows the poverty-stricken Jean Valjean (Jackman), who is imprisoned for twenty year after stealing a loaf of bread. Upon his release he is pursued by lawman Inspector Javert (Crowe).
The musical, which opened in London in 1985, and is now the world’s longest running musical, includes the famous songs, ‘I dreamed a dream’ and ‘On my own.’
Cameron McIntosh, the film’s co-producer said in a statement: “Even though I have dreamt about making a 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 and Russell Crowe as the two great protagonists… Not only were they born to play these roles vocally, but they thrillingly inhabit the great score.”
Anne Hathaway is reportedly in talks to play the beautiful but troubled Fantine, while Helena Bonham Carter and Geoffrey Rush have also been linked to the upcoming adaptation.
Tom Hooper’s ‘Les Miserables’ will hit screens December 7, 2012.
