Les Miserables (2012) film adaptation of the musical

True, I forgot Enjolras. Don't think Eponine was ever referred to in the book as being attractive, though (maybe as someone who would have been attractive had she had a much better life), and by the time we see Fantine she's already pretty beaten down.

On Eponine, that's from the Field of the Lark scene. When she shows up, Hugo proceeds to list all her various unpleasant qualities, then says that even with all of that she's pretty. He even uses a star metaphor. So, I think at the very least the case can be made for Eponine being pretty.

New news: Anne Hathaway apparently isn't going to be Fantine after all, and Emma Watson's not going to be anybody, either. They're also shooting for casting the kids (Eponine, Cosette, the Barricade Boys) rather younger than most stage productions. I think this is a good thing, as it means we're more likely to get unknowns cast based on their singing ability (like Jamie Campbell Bower, who was in my opinion the best thing about Sweeney Todd).

But the students aren't kids at all. Most of them are around mid-20s.

I think she refers to Gavroche.

Huh. That's stupid.

edited 26th Sep '11 12:51:21 PM by jewelleddragon

No, I believe they are aiming to have the students at a younger age than normal, which would fit better with the musical-image of them as idealistic schoolboys but contradicts both the book and reality.

edited 26th Sep '11 1:04:41 AM by Fiwen9430

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2012/01/04/les-miserable-movie-taylor-swift-amanda-seyfried_n_1182963.html?ref=entertainment

Discuss. Or cry.

I mean, I'm thrilled about Amanda Seyfried, since she's actually an actor and a trained singer and I loved her in Mamma Mia and all. On the other hand, Taylor Swifft is barely a singer and certainly no actress. I've not heard her sing more than about five notes, and her voice is just so thin. Rage.

As soon as I read that they wanted to offer the role to Taylor Swift all I could imagine was a country-pop version of Les Miserables. 'On my own' + 'You belong with me' is not a good combination.

Truly this will be the next Phantom.

Taylor Swift has no business being in the same movie as Hugh Jackman, Anne Hathaway and Helena Bonham Carter.

Eponine has always been the most annoying character. It's like dreading that Miley Cyrus will be cast as Misa in Death Note - really, it kind of fits.

Besides, I can sing a decent On My Own, and I'm a much worse singer than Taylor Swift.

Now, Helena Bonham-Carter, who spent Sweeney Todd constrained tightly to her head voice, trying for Mme. Thenardier? That is madness.

edited 18th Jan '12 7:15:02 PM by DomaDoma

FTFY. Not everyone thinks so, especially since she's one of a vanishingly small number of prominent alto roles.

Alto prominence is good, but I don't see how prominence and being annoying are mutually exclusive. Also, Taylor Swift is an alto, or at least a heck of a lot closer to alto than Johnny Depp is to baritone.

While we're on film!Sweeney complaints, has anyone verified that there will be parts for the chorus?

Well, we know that there are going to be a few whores in Lovely Ladies (I think it was reported somewhere that Nancy Sullivan was going to be one), so it seems to imply that they'll keep chorus parts intact. Since the chorus plays a big part in this, I can't see how they'd manage the huge epic pieces like 'Look Down' (Paris) without it.

Taylor Swift will not be in the film after all. Instead, newcomer Samantha Barks has been cast as Eponine.

OH THANK GOD!

No idea who Samantha Barks is, but anyone would be better than Taylor.

edited 31st Jan '12 10:53:48 PM by Mort08

If you've seen the 25th anniversary concert, she was Eponine in that.

Honestly they could do a lot better, because I saw her live a few times and she seemed pretty bland compared to some of the other Eponines I've seen, but then again she might be more suited to a film version and could end up pretty decent. She has a really nice voice, and I did see her quite early on the West End run so she may have improved the acting side of things.

edited 1st Feb '12 10:13:25 AM by Fiwen9430

Were they ever really considering Taylor Swift, or was it just a rumor made up to discredit the film?

She was considered by the studio. Universal (whose has been heavily invested in high-concept lately) wanted the additional box office gross.

Reminds me of how they considered casting Barbra Streisand as Audrey in Little Shop of Horrors, but decided on Ellen Greene instead.

edited 5th Feb '12 5:44:45 PM by PDown

They got an unknown for Eponine? YES! That said, Taylor Swift... I actually think she can act. Mind you, my only experience with her has been an episode of CSI, but I was impressed with her there and actually shocked when I found out it was her, given all the horror stories I've heard.

I was sort of looking forward to the wank, though. Taylor Swift fans and Eponine fans combined? It'd have been the gift that keeps on giving...

Samantha Barks, though, I find her to be too... generically pretty. Eponine is supposed to be an Unkempt Beauty, durnit! On the other hand, original Eponine Frances Ruffelle◊ may well, in my humble opinion, be the most gorgeous woman on God's green Earth. Actually, even today Frances is hotter◊. She did the unkempt look well, though◊.

On an only-tangentially-related note, I once made this picture◊ into an icon that said 'I'm all alone.' 'Oh, no, you're not.' 'So all alone.' 'I'm here, you twat.'

edited 6th Feb '12 12:18:19 AM by HamburgerTime

Speaking of Frances Ruffelle, she'll also be in the movie, as a featured singer during "Lovely Ladies." Even better: the original Valjean, Colm Wilkinson, will be the Bishop!

You know if this is awful or meh we can all take solace in the having the Tenth Anniversary Les Miz concert

The online Les Mis community Abaisse is giving what we've seen of the film so far a glowing reception, and they're big sticklers for accuracy, so it looks like this might actually be good. Apparently, they're even including scenes from the book that weren't in the musical! Incidentally, Hugh Jackman has mentioned that he's read the book twice in preparation for his role.

We have a trailer.

Looks good.