It’s almost official. Russell Crowe is in talks to play Javert, the super-duper by-the-books cop chasing the compassionate criminal Jean Valjean, who will played by Hugh Jackman in Universal and Working Title‘s musical production of Les Miserables, to be directed by Oscar winner Tom Hooper [THR].
Crowe has been rumored for some time now, with echoes of Paul Bettany also in contention for the role of the cop. Anne Hathaway has also recently been talked about as joining the project as Fantine.
Helena Bonham Carter is also in talks to play innkeeper Thenardier’s greedy wife. She would be predominantly featured in the wonderful song “Master of the House,” as Hooper plans to stay true to Claude-Michel Schoenberg‘s score. One of the most important roles has yet to be talked about, that of Cosette, the young girl Valjean takes in as his own, who grows up to be a beautiful teenager deeply in love with the rebellious Marius.
Victor Hugo’s novel/the musical that followed was most recently adapted – quite solidly I might add – in 1998, with Liam Neeson as Valjean, Geoffrey Rush as Javert, Uma Thurman as Fantine and Claire Danes as Cosette.
Shooting is set to commence in February 2012, with a planned Dec. 7, 2012 release date. Very ambitious to say the least.
Have you read Les Miserables? Seen the musical? Seen the 1990s film adaptation?