# 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:** 2
**Author:** ![a35362](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/3da27b/32.png) [@a35362](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/a35362)\ **Post date:** [July 12, 2011, 6:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/poll-and-discussion-hugh-jackman-to-play-jean-valjean-in-the-film-of-les-mis-the-musical/588669/21 "2011-07-12T18:46:46Z")
> [@Sampiro](#): > > …Fantine’s been ridden through hell sideways… _scribbling_ Interesting phraseology… Sure, why not? Hugh Jackman can do anything. ---
**Author:** ![the\_Lady](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/bb73d2/32.png) [@the\_Lady](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/the_Lady)\ **Post date:** [July 12, 2011, 7:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/poll-and-discussion-hugh-jackman-to-play-jean-valjean-in-the-film-of-les-mis-the-musical/588669/22 "2011-07-12T19:02:08Z")
I’m not sure what I think. I would certainly see it - and I suspect he could pull it off. ---
**Author:** ![MaxTheVool](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/9fc29f/32.png) [@MaxTheVool](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MaxTheVool)\ **Post date:** [July 12, 2011, 7:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/poll-and-discussion-hugh-jackman-to-play-jean-valjean-in-the-film-of-les-mis-the-musical/588669/23 "2011-07-12T19:09:49Z")
If we’re typecasting, Timothy Spall should play Thenardier (ie, Wormtongue inHarry Potter, Beetle Bamford in Sweeney Todd, and the similar character in Enchanted). And I honestly think Zac Efron could do a good job as Marius. He was great in Hairspray. ---
**Author:** ![Jophiel](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jophiel/32/66_2.png) [@Jophiel](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jophiel)\ **Post date:** [July 12, 2011, 7:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/poll-and-discussion-hugh-jackman-to-play-jean-valjean-in-the-film-of-les-mis-the-musical/588669/24 "2011-07-12T19:30:07Z")
> [@Capitaine\_Zombie](#): > > Nope. That said, there arent that many good movie adaptations of the Miserables. That’s my thought: Every film version of the story sucks already so it’s not as though Jackman is going to destroy a fine film legacy here. He might even pull it off and be great. ---
**Author:** ![choie](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/choie/32/7829_2.png) [@choie](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/choie)\ **Post date:** [July 12, 2011, 8:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/poll-and-discussion-hugh-jackman-to-play-jean-valjean-in-the-film-of-les-mis-the-musical/588669/25 "2011-07-12T20:09:07Z")
I can see Jackman as Valjean. All I know is that there’s no way in hell that Lea Michele isn’t gonna be Eponine. (Or, if Idina Menzel plays Fantine, Lea can play her daughter again as Cosette, though it’s a duller role.) ---
**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 13, 2011, 4:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/poll-and-discussion-hugh-jackman-to-play-jean-valjean-in-the-film-of-les-mis-the-musical/588669/26 "2011-07-13T16:13:59Z")
After seeing them perform together at this year’s Tonys, I hope Marius is played by Neil Patrick Harris. ---
**Author:** ![Sampiro](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/2acd7d/32.png) [@Sampiro](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sampiro)\ **Post date:** [July 13, 2011, 4:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/poll-and-discussion-hugh-jackman-to-play-jean-valjean-in-the-film-of-les-mis-the-musical/588669/27 "2011-07-13T16:44:28Z")
> [@Annie-Xmas](#): > > After seeing them perform together at this year’s Tonys, I hope Marius is played by Neil Patrick Harris. [NPH as Javert](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=W_kG767DoU4) ---
**Author:** ![kushiel](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/bbce88/32.png) [@kushiel](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kushiel)\ **Post date:** [July 13, 2011, 5:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/poll-and-discussion-hugh-jackman-to-play-jean-valjean-in-the-film-of-les-mis-the-musical/588669/28 "2011-07-13T17:31:02Z")
It’s just a knee-jerk reaction from me, but Val Jean has always felt older and less, um, hunky than Hugh Jackman. That’s what makeup is for, but it’s just my first thought. ---
**Author:** ![Mtgman](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/b5a626/32.png) [@Mtgman](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mtgman)\ **Post date:** [July 13, 2011, 7:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/poll-and-discussion-hugh-jackman-to-play-jean-valjean-in-the-film-of-les-mis-the-musical/588669/29 "2011-07-13T19:57:14Z")
Valjean was described as a very fit and dignified man. Aside from aging, I don’t think they’d need to do much to Jackman. Valjean worked on a chain gang for nineteen years and he’d have the hard muscled body to show it, plus his nickname was “Jean the jack” because he was so strong he could lift things most people thought couldn’t be lifted without mechanical assistance. He was one of those rare physical specimens who was blessed with prodigious strength and physical prowess which served him well both on the chain gang and afterward. The book tells of how he retained his physique, agility, and strength well into his 40s and 50s, perhaps even into his sixties. He is shown performing feats of physical strength(bursting ropes, free-hand climbing walls, etc) well after his hair has turned fully white. In the book he was born in 1769, arrested when he was 16, released at 35, then works as a half-wage slave for about nine years before he encounters the Bishop who turns his life around. In 1815 he goes into Montreuil-sur-Mer and he would have been about 44 when he began his life there. It took him a few years to revolutionize the main industry of the town(making cheap jewelry) by making it even cheaper(replacing welds with simple bent metal) and becoming mayor under the name of Madeliene. This comes to an end sometime around 1823 with his revealing himself to save the man who had been mistakenly identified as Valjean. So at this point he’s about 54-55 when he meets Cosette. Ten years later is the revolt(1833) and his physical bravery and actions at the barricade, to say nothing of carrying a wounded Marius afterwards, was remarkable for a man of 64 years of age in the 19th century. Valjean was almost certainly a well built man, as is Jackman. Enjoy, Steven ---
**Author:** ![Cyberhwk](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/7993a0/32.png) [@Cyberhwk](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cyberhwk)\ **Post date:** [July 14, 2011, 1:40am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/poll-and-discussion-hugh-jackman-to-play-jean-valjean-in-the-film-of-les-mis-the-musical/588669/30 "2011-07-14T01:40:38Z")
**Daniel Day Lewis** as Javert would be badass. ---
**Author:** ![Dr.Girlfriend](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dr.girlfriend/32/193_2.png) [@Dr.Girlfriend](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dr.Girlfriend)\ **Post date:** [July 14, 2011, 1:50am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/poll-and-discussion-hugh-jackman-to-play-jean-valjean-in-the-film-of-les-mis-the-musical/588669/31 "2011-07-14T01:50:36Z")
I wore out my tape (!) of the original cast with Colm Wilkinson, but I like the idea of Hugh Jackman in that role. I would see it! ---
**Author:** ![Chef\_Troy](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/85f322/32.png) [@Chef\_Troy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Chef_Troy)\ **Post date:** [July 14, 2011, 4:00am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/poll-and-discussion-hugh-jackman-to-play-jean-valjean-in-the-film-of-les-mis-the-musical/588669/32 "2011-07-14T04:00:45Z")
How about an all-“Princess Bride” edition? - Mandy Patinkin as Valjean - Christopher Guest as Javert - Chris Sarandon as The Bishop - Billy Crystal as M. Thenardier - Carol Kane as Mme. Thenardier - Fred Savage as Marius - Robin Wright as Fantine - Cary Elwes as Cosette 😛 I don’t have anyone to play Eponine, though – there aren’t enough female parts in _TPB_. Maybe Wallace Shawn? 😃 ---
**Author:** ![Sampiro](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/2acd7d/32.png) [@Sampiro](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sampiro)\ **Post date:** [July 14, 2011, 7:19am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/poll-and-discussion-hugh-jackman-to-play-jean-valjean-in-the-film-of-les-mis-the-musical/588669/33 "2011-07-14T07:19:01Z")
[QUOTE=Chef Troy] I don’t have anyone to play Eponine, though – there aren’t enough female parts in _TPB_. Maybe Wallace Shawn? 😃 [/QUOTE] Inconceivable! ---
**Author:** ![mac\_bolan00](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/b3f665/32.png) [@mac\_bolan00](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/mac_bolan00)\ **Post date:** [July 14, 2011, 7:29am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/poll-and-discussion-hugh-jackman-to-play-jean-valjean-in-the-film-of-les-mis-the-musical/588669/34 "2011-07-14T07:29:27Z")
i think he’s better off playing rhett butler. ---
**Author:** ![Sampiro](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/2acd7d/32.png) [@Sampiro](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sampiro)\ **Post date:** [July 14, 2011, 7:49am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/poll-and-discussion-hugh-jackman-to-play-jean-valjean-in-the-film-of-les-mis-the-musical/588669/35 "2011-07-14T07:49:41Z")
I don’t mind if they write some new material for the movie, but I hope they don’t cut anything save perhaps some of the minor exposition lines. They should be able to figure out that their core audience wants to hear every word. ---
**Author:** ![choie](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/choie/32/7829_2.png) [@choie](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/choie)\ **Post date:** [July 14, 2011, 1:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/poll-and-discussion-hugh-jackman-to-play-jean-valjean-in-the-film-of-les-mis-the-musical/588669/36 "2011-07-14T13:49:37Z")
> [@Sampiro](#): > > I don’t mind if they write some new material for the movie, but I hope they don’t cut anything save perhaps some of the minor exposition lines. They should be able to figure out that their core audience wants to hear every word. Ask _Sweeney Todd_ fans how well _that_ assumption worked. No bleedin’ chorus or “Ballad of Sweeney Todd” my _ass_. Screw you, Burton. ---
**Author:** ![gonzoron](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/a6a055/32.png) [@gonzoron](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/gonzoron)\ **Post date:** [July 15, 2011, 5:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/poll-and-discussion-hugh-jackman-to-play-jean-valjean-in-the-film-of-les-mis-the-musical/588669/37 "2011-07-15T17:15:23Z")
> [@Sampiro](#): > > [NPH as Javert](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=W_kG767DoU4) That was awesome. What a random find. Thank you! ---
**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 15, 2011, 6:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/poll-and-discussion-hugh-jackman-to-play-jean-valjean-in-the-film-of-les-mis-the-musical/588669/38 "2011-07-15T18:20:30Z")
> [@Sampiro](#): > > I don’t mind if they write some new material for the movie, but I hope they don’t cut anything save perhaps some of the minor exposition lines. They should be able to figure out that their core audience wants to hear every word. Please please please cut Turning. That song is insipid and useless. My understanding is that the song mostly exists to give the actresses something to do in Act II. The movie won’t care! Cut it! At the very least, make it very very short. Also, I read that for the stage they had to cut a wonderful scene where Valjean meets Cosette by the well. I think it was due to technical difficulties for the stage transition. The Movie can do it. Bring it back! ---
**Author:** ![storyteller0910](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/ecae2f/32.png) [@storyteller0910](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/storyteller0910)\ **Post date:** [July 15, 2011, 6:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/poll-and-discussion-hugh-jackman-to-play-jean-valjean-in-the-film-of-les-mis-the-musical/588669/39 "2011-07-15T18:30:36Z")
> [@sachertorte](#): > > Please please please cut Turning. That song is insipid and useless. My understanding is that the song mostly exists to give the actresses something to do in Act II. The movie won’t care! Cut it! At the very least, make it very very short. Yes! If there’s some way to cut it from the movie so definitively that it retroactively removes it from the stage show, that would be even better. At all events, there will most likely be a new song put into the movie. _Something_ has to be eligible for the Oscar. I think the only one of the new-ish movie musicals that _didn’t_ do this was Sweeney Todd. But I kind of hope there isn’t, because I can’t for the life of me figure out where it would go. ---
**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 16, 2011, 6:09am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/poll-and-discussion-hugh-jackman-to-play-jean-valjean-in-the-film-of-les-mis-the-musical/588669/40 "2011-07-16T06:09:03Z")
> [@sachertorte](#): > > Also, I read that for the stage they had to cut a wonderful scene where Valjean meets Cosette by the well. I think it was due to technical difficulties for the stage transition. The Movie can do it. Bring it back! Yeah I agree. This scene, > [@](#): > > Valjean: > Hush now > Do not be afraid of me > Don’t cry > Show me where you live > Tell me, my child, what is your name? > Cosette: > I’m called Cosette while it wasn’t in the original production, was added back in for both the Broadway revival and the recent Walnut Street production in Philadelphia. It would be nice if they include it in the film. And I really like “Turning.” It illustrates the futility of the boys’ fighting and is a great intro to “Empty Chairs at Empty Tables.” [Previous 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=1) [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=3)