The tragi-epic of Broadway’s Les Miserables is the world’s most popular musical. Now Universal brings it to the big screen, boldly betting that the masses will come see Hugh Jackman, Russell Crowe and Anne Hathaway croon their hearts out (and maybe score Oscar gold in the process).
Helena Bonham Carter and Sacha Baron Cohen as Madame and Monsieur Thenardier, envelop the young Cosette, played by Isabelle Allen.
“I was in Gilbert & Sullivan’s Patience at school and played a lovesick officer,” says Hooper, on Les Mis’ pinewood set. “I thought, ‘If I’m not getting the lead part at school, maybe I shouldn’t be an actor.’ ”
"I did a lot of research about what life was like for a grisette, a young working woman in Paris,” says Anne Hathaway. “I hired a researcher because the scope of the questions was so large.”
Les Mis’ Marius: London’s Eddie Redmayne, 30, is one of the movie’s two standout newcomers.
On his audition: "I was making Hick with Chloe Moretz and Blake Lively in North Carolina. One night, we went over to Blake’s and they turned on some music, and everyone was singing along. At the time, Les Mis was being played, and they said, 'You should audition for that.' Two nights later, I was in the middle of a field in North Carolina in my trailer and thought, 'Why not give it a shot?' [He ended up filming a video audition 'dressed as a cowboy,' singing 'Empty Chairs and Empty Tables.']
Les Mis’ Eponine: The actress, 22, from England’s Isle of Man, endured 15 auditions before coming aboard.