# Poll (and discussion): Hugh Jackman to play Jean Valjean in the film of Les Mis the musical **URL:** \ **Category:** Cafe Society\ **Created:** [July 11, 2011, 8:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/poll-and-discussion-hugh-jackman-to-play-jean-valjean-in-the-film-of-les-mis-the-musical/588669 "2011-07-11T20:29:56Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Sampiro](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/2acd7d/32.png) [@Sampiro](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sampiro)\ **Post date:** [July 11, 2011, 8:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/poll-and-discussion-hugh-jackman-to-play-jean-valjean-in-the-film-of-les-mis-the-musical/588669/1 "2011-07-11T20:29:56Z")
Not quite to the “it’s official” stage but very close: Hugh Jackman is [in talks to play Jean Valjean](http://www.playbill.com/news/article/152304-Hugh-Jackman-Says-He-Will-Star-in-Les-Miz-Film) when the the musical Les Mis is filmed. He certainly has the acting and singing chops- and the dancing, not that Valjean dances- and you can imagine him as a man with super human cart lifting strength. Still, I say “age before beauty”: I’d rather it be Colm Wilkinson. What say you? ---
**Author:** ![Argent\_Towers](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/e8c25b/32.png) [@Argent\_Towers](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Argent_Towers)\ **Post date:** [July 11, 2011, 8:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/poll-and-discussion-hugh-jackman-to-play-jean-valjean-in-the-film-of-les-mis-the-musical/588669/2 "2011-07-11T20:31:23Z")
Perfect choice. I love Jackman. He’s one of the best actors currently working. I just wish he’d extend his range a little from the big budget blockbusters and act in some smaller, independent, thought provoking movies. ---
**Author:** ![Sampiro](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/2acd7d/32.png) [@Sampiro](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sampiro)\ **Post date:** [July 11, 2011, 8:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/poll-and-discussion-hugh-jackman-to-play-jean-valjean-in-the-film-of-les-mis-the-musical/588669/3 "2011-07-11T20:35:41Z")
I prefer Wilkinson but I will definitely go see it with Jackman and wouldn’t be surprised if he’s outstanding. Just please please please don’t cast [Whichever] Jonas as Marius- I couldn’t stand him in the 25th Anniversary performance. (Jonas, baby, you’re not English- don’t try to sing with an English accent.) Trying to think of who else to cast. Paul Bettany is being discussed for Javert- I’ve no idea if he can sing. Colm should at least be the Bishop. ---
**Author:** ![Elendil\_s\_Heir](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/7cd45c/32.png) [@Elendil\_s\_Heir](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Elendil_s_Heir)\ **Post date:** [July 11, 2011, 8:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/poll-and-discussion-hugh-jackman-to-play-jean-valjean-in-the-film-of-les-mis-the-musical/588669/4 "2011-07-11T20:37:42Z")
I’m OK but not thrilled at the thought of HJ in the role. I think he could probably pull it off. One of my happiest memories of being in London in late 1985 on a semester abroad was seeing Colm Wilkinson and the original cast of _Les Mis_. An amazing theatrical/musical experience. ---
**Author:** ![Eyebrows\_0f\_Doom](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/eyebrows_0f_doom/32/3119_2.png) [@Eyebrows\_0f\_Doom](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Eyebrows_0f_Doom)\ **Post date:** [July 11, 2011, 8:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/poll-and-discussion-hugh-jackman-to-play-jean-valjean-in-the-film-of-les-mis-the-musical/588669/5 "2011-07-11T20:56:21Z")
Colm Wilkinson is the definitive Valjean, \*but \*he’s 65 now. It’s easier to age Jackman for the final scenes than make Wilkinson appear younger for practically the whole film. (Plus he’s not a Hollywood name, despite being well-known among theatre fans.) I think Jackman is great and should do pretty well, though I wonder if he can hit those high notes in “Bring Him Home.” I think Alan Rickman could make a good Javert. > [@](#): > > Colm should at least be the Bishop. Heh! That would be cool. ---
**Author:** ![Chronos](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/chronos/32/134_2.png) [@Chronos](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Chronos)\ **Post date:** [July 11, 2011, 10:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/poll-and-discussion-hugh-jackman-to-play-jean-valjean-in-the-film-of-les-mis-the-musical/588669/6 "2011-07-11T22:31:17Z")
I don’t know enough about Jackman’s singing ability to judge there (and that’s obviously pretty significant for a classic musical like Les Miserables), but Valjean has to be someone who can look dangerous, and Jackman’s fine for that. > [@](#): > > I think Alan Rickman could make a good Javert. He’s an excellent actor, and that’s a role that seems right up his alley. I agree. ---
**Author:** ![Sampiro](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/2acd7d/32.png) [@Sampiro](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sampiro)\ **Post date:** [July 11, 2011, 10:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/poll-and-discussion-hugh-jackman-to-play-jean-valjean-in-the-film-of-les-mis-the-musical/588669/7 "2011-07-11T22:41:05Z")
Rickman looks like Javert but unfortunately he’s 65, a bit long in the tooth for closeups. Winona Judd could do for Mme. Thenardier. Idina Menzel might could pull off Fantine (also a few years too old for it but then Fantine’s been ridden through hell sideways). Jonathan Groff is a tad on the gay side for Marius (I know I know, politically incorrect to say it yadda yadda but in his case it’s true- he’s kind of flaming) but might be good for Enjolras. ---
**Author:** ![The\_Other\_Waldo\_Pepper](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/the_other_waldo_pepper/32/12370_2.png) [@The\_Other\_Waldo\_Pepper](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/The_Other_Waldo_Pepper)\ **Post date:** [July 12, 2011, 1:08am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/poll-and-discussion-hugh-jackman-to-play-jean-valjean-in-the-film-of-les-mis-the-musical/588669/8 "2011-07-12T01:08:37Z")
> [@Eyebrows\_0f\_Doom](#): > > I think Jackman is great and should do pretty well, though I wonder if he can hit those high notes in “Bring Him Home.” On the stage – who knows? But for a film where he can take his time and get it right on Try #6, I think this is a non-issue. ---
**Author:** ![Baker](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/bb73d2/32.png) [@Baker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Baker)\ **Post date:** [July 12, 2011, 1:20am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/poll-and-discussion-hugh-jackman-to-play-jean-valjean-in-the-film-of-les-mis-the-musical/588669/9 "2011-07-12T01:20:30Z")
> [@The\_Other\_Waldo\_Pepper](#): > > On the stage – who knows? But for a film where he can take his time and get it right on Try #6, I think this is a non-issue. Orcoughcoughhave any little errors dubbed. ---
**Author:** ![Barrett\_Bonden](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/5e9695/32.png) [@Barrett\_Bonden](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Barrett_Bonden)\ **Post date:** [July 12, 2011, 12:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/poll-and-discussion-hugh-jackman-to-play-jean-valjean-in-the-film-of-les-mis-the-musical/588669/10 "2011-07-12T12:41:15Z")
Hugh Jackman has a great stage presence and decent singing voice. Also movies are a lot more vocally forgiving than eight live shows a week onstage. (Madonna’s Evita was respectable, if not brilliantly sung.) Still, Valjean is a hard role, vocally. I’m reserving judgment. I would very nearly be reconciled to the entire concept if they would cast Audra McDonald as Fantine. (please please please) ---
**Author:** ![Agent\_Foxtrot](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/9fc29f/32.png) [@Agent\_Foxtrot](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Agent_Foxtrot)\ **Post date:** [July 12, 2011, 12:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/poll-and-discussion-hugh-jackman-to-play-jean-valjean-in-the-film-of-les-mis-the-musical/588669/11 "2011-07-12T12:56:16Z")
> [@Elendil\_s\_Heir](#): > > I’m OK but not thrilled at the thought of HJ in the role. I think he could probably pull it off. My thoughts exactly. Anyone but Colm would seem mis-cast. Jackman will probably do fine, though. How about John Malkovich as M. Thenàrdier? ---
**Author:** ![Elendil\_s\_Heir](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/7cd45c/32.png) [@Elendil\_s\_Heir](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Elendil_s_Heir)\ **Post date:** [July 12, 2011, 1:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/poll-and-discussion-hugh-jackman-to-play-jean-valjean-in-the-film-of-les-mis-the-musical/588669/12 "2011-07-12T13:05:09Z")
> [@Agent\_Foxtrot](#): > > …How about John Malkovich as M. Thenàrdier? Me likey! Or as Javert, for that matter. Wasn’t Liam Neeson at one point tipped to play Valjean? ---
**Author:** ![The\_Other\_Waldo\_Pepper](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/the_other_waldo_pepper/32/12370_2.png) [@The\_Other\_Waldo\_Pepper](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/The_Other_Waldo_Pepper)\ **Post date:** [July 12, 2011, 1:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/poll-and-discussion-hugh-jackman-to-play-jean-valjean-in-the-film-of-les-mis-the-musical/588669/13 "2011-07-12T13:26:23Z")
> [@Elendil\_s\_Heir](#): > > Wasn’t Liam Neeson at one point tipped to play Valjean? He did that in the non-musical movie a few years back. ---
**Author:** ![sachertorte](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/sachertorte/32/3727_2.png) [@sachertorte](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/sachertorte)\ **Post date:** [July 12, 2011, 2:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/poll-and-discussion-hugh-jackman-to-play-jean-valjean-in-the-film-of-les-mis-the-musical/588669/14 "2011-07-12T14:56:17Z")
I think Jackman would make a better Javert. Jackman doesn’t strike me as fatherly. But I’m guessing they would have a hard time finding a Hollywood type to fit the role perfectly. Jackman is probably the best approximation they could get. ---
**Author:** ![Elendil\_s\_Heir](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/7cd45c/32.png) [@Elendil\_s\_Heir](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Elendil_s_Heir)\ **Post date:** [July 12, 2011, 4:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/poll-and-discussion-hugh-jackman-to-play-jean-valjean-in-the-film-of-les-mis-the-musical/588669/15 "2011-07-12T16:28:16Z")
> [@The\_Other\_Waldo\_Pepper](#): > > He did that in the non-musical movie a few years back. Wow, that came and went, and I never even heard of it. Was it any good? ---
**Author:** ![Capitaine\_Zombie](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/e95f7d/32.png) [@Capitaine\_Zombie](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Capitaine_Zombie)\ **Post date:** [July 12, 2011, 4:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/poll-and-discussion-hugh-jackman-to-play-jean-valjean-in-the-film-of-les-mis-the-musical/588669/16 "2011-07-12T16:35:56Z")
> [@Elendil\_s\_Heir](#): > > Wow, that came and went, and I never even heard of it. Was it any good? Nope. That said, there arent that many good movie adaptations of the Miserables. ---
**Author:** ![garygnu](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/garygnu/32/2924_2.png) [@garygnu](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/garygnu)\ **Post date:** [July 12, 2011, 4:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/poll-and-discussion-hugh-jackman-to-play-jean-valjean-in-the-film-of-les-mis-the-musical/588669/17 "2011-07-12T16:36:33Z")
> [@Chronos](#): > > I don’t know enough about Jackman’s singing ability to judge there (and that’s obviously pretty significant for a classic musical like Les Miserables)… Here’s Him singing “[Oh, What a Beautiful Morning](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CFjxMGM36Hk).” Despite the lighthearted nature of the song, there are parts of “[People Will Say We’re In Love](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fS0NPYH_pGw#t=2m39s)” where his voice shines. However, I think he loses the low-end resonation when he acts and sings at the same time. ---
**Author:** ![Capitaine\_Zombie](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/e95f7d/32.png) [@Capitaine\_Zombie](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Capitaine_Zombie)\ **Post date:** [July 12, 2011, 4:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/poll-and-discussion-hugh-jackman-to-play-jean-valjean-in-the-film-of-les-mis-the-musical/588669/18 "2011-07-12T16:37:22Z")
> [@Agent\_Foxtrot](#): > > My thoughts exactly. Anyone but Colm would seem mis-cast. Jackman will probably do fine, though. > > How about John Malkovich as M. Thenàrdier? Well, Malkovich has already played Javert, I doubt he would step down to playing Thenardier, even in a major adaptation. ---
**Author:** ![Annie-Xmas](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/ecc23a/32.png) [@Annie-Xmas](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Annie-Xmas)\ **Post date:** [July 12, 2011, 5:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/poll-and-discussion-hugh-jackman-to-play-jean-valjean-in-the-film-of-les-mis-the-musical/588669/19 "2011-07-12T17:04:19Z")
> [@Chronos](#): > > I don’t know enough about Jackman’s singing ability to judge there (and that’s obviously pretty significant for a classic musical like Les Miserables), but Valjean has to be someone who can look dangerous, and Jackman’s fine for that. > > He’s an excellent actor, and that’s a role that seems right up his alley. I agree. I saw Hugh Jackman in [The Boy From Oz](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Boy_from_Oz), and he was fine. Damn fine. So fine he won a Tony. So fine the show was closed when he left. Jackman can do it!! ---
**Author:** ![Mtgman](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/b5a626/32.png) [@Mtgman](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mtgman)\ **Post date:** [July 12, 2011, 6:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/poll-and-discussion-hugh-jackman-to-play-jean-valjean-in-the-film-of-les-mis-the-musical/588669/20 "2011-07-12T18:40:56Z")
I’m really more invested in who plays Javert than who plays Valjean. Stars is one of my all-time favorites and if they “Pierce Brosnan” it I’m going to be fucking pissed. Enjoy, Steven [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/poll-and-discussion-hugh-jackman-to-play-jean-valjean-in-the-film-of-les-mis-the-musical/588669.md?page=2)