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Oscar Winner Tom Hooper Directing 'Les Miserables' Musical Next

by Alex Billington
March 24, 2011
Source: Deadline

My name is Jean Valjean. I am a convict from the galleys. Les Mis is back! Deadline reports that Universal has won the bidding war to develop a "full-blown musical adaptation" of Les Miserables, based on Victor Hugo's seminal classic published in 1862, with Oscar winning British director Tom Hooper of The King's Speech looking to direct. While anything could happen with the director over these next few months, since he is getting offers left and right now, Deadline states "this is the first film he's begun negotiations on since winning the Oscar" but were told "it would definitively be his next film." From King's Speech to Les Mis!

Cameron Mackintosh, who brought Les Miserables to the stage in 1985 as the extremely popular musical, is producing this with Working Title partners Tim Bevan & Eric Fellner. The screenplay is apparently already written by Bill Nicholson and the hope is to begin production on the musical before the end of the year, with shooting taking place somewhere in Europe. The musical features popular songs like "I Dreamed A Dream", "On My Own", and "Bring Him Home". Most folks probably read the book in high school and I'm sure many have seen the musical in some form as well. Let's just hope Hooper has a fresh new take on Les Miserables?

While many film fans were upset that Hooper (and The King's Speech) won the Oscar over David Fincher or Darren Aronofsky, I loved The King's Speech and I'm happy with the results, though I would say the same if it was Fincher. I think Hooper is a very talented director on the rise and I'm looking forward to seeing how he'll handle a popular period musical like this. I'm also curious to see how he works with a studio, especially one as abominable as Universal (recently). We'll definitely keep you updated! Anyone a big Les Mis fan?

Explore tags: Development, Featured, Movie News

Anonymous

As a fan of both the book and musical, I'm really looking forward to hearing more news of this. That said, I hope the script doesn't deviate too greatly from that of the stage production (filling-in neglected details is fine, I just don't want major plot points twisted around, etc.), or at very least that they manage to fit all of the songs in.

http://tehkoreandude.blogspot.com gpak

especially with directors as talented as hooper, i could see him wanting to create some new plot points or take some creative liberties. however, i'm certain that this movie will uphold the high value and standards of the musical. i hope that Colm Wilkinson will be able to reprise the role of valjean, though i'd understand if this didn't happen. adapting musicals into movies seems to be a very difficult thing to do and, if handled indelicately, what would be minor flaws in a movie become major flaws in musical adaptations. musicals are very delicate pieces of theater and mishandling it can cause a near train wreck. i have high hopes for this movie, and await to see how hooper manages.

http://twitter.com/filmmisery Alex Carlson

I suggested Baz Luhrman as an ideal director for this: http://www.filmmisery.com/?p=6576

http://www.firstshowing.net Alex Billington

Well I don't he's getting to get the job, as Hooper is directing this... But I would actually really like to see Baz Luhrmann direct a musical again! He needs to get back and make something exciting and sensational like that, its been too long.

Gh

*YAWN* Who's that guy again? Wishing him the best in whatever he does next...because he will need it.
Cracky

I do love a good musical. Especially this one. I look forward to any and all updates on this adaptation. Also: Geoffrey Rush has got to be Javert.

http://www.firstshowing.net Alex Billington

Now THAT would be awesome!! But can he sing?

Alexander Gramlich

He was Javert on the movie adaptation from the 90's with Liam Neeson, maybe he could play Thénardier, any way, I'm exited with the news, Les Miserables is by far my favorite musical, and could make a great movie.
Sara Marghaug

Huge fan of the musical I can't describe how much I love it I've started reading the book recently