It’s a wonder that there hasn’t already been a movie version of the famed Broadway musical, “Les Miserables.” The show, also known by its nickname “Les Miz,” is the third longest running show on Broadway, the longest running musical on the West End and the winner of the 1987 Tony for Best Musical.
But alas, there hasn’t been a film featuring a singing Jean Valjean and Javert to grace the screens just yet. Although, there have been adaptations of the book, the best known being the 1998 film starring Liam Neeson, Geoffrey Rush, Uma Thurman, and Claire Danes.
The new musical adaptation is set to hit theaters on December 7, 2012 (just in time for Oscar season, of course). Already in the cast is Hugh Jackman as the lead male role of Jean Valjean. Joining him will be Russell Crowe as Javert, Anne Hathaway as Fantine, Eddie Redmayne (“My Week With Marilyn”) as Marius, and Helena Bonham Carter as Madame Thenardier. Rumored to be making his second appearance in a film adaptation of “Les Miserables” is Geoffrey Rush, who is in talks to play Monsieur Thenardier.