Les Miserables - In Production/Post Production

[ocjackie]

I really think you have a lot of company in your 25 year wait. And are we really senior citizens? When I start thinking about the movie and then Houdini, and am I really older then 30? I sure don't feel that way. ;D

[jo]

I saw it first in early 1988, having heard about it from a former NYC roommate whom I saw during a return visit (on business for the bank I was working for) to New York. I remember her telling me to get a ticket anyway I can. So, that was the very first time I sourced my tickets via a hotel concierge! I still remember paying $ 75 for each ticket ( including markup, of course)!! Those were the days. Come to think of it -- that was only 24 1/2 years ago!!

The first time I heard they were going to film the musical was in the early or mid-1990's. I was in London and a young West End actress from Wales named Catherine Zeta Jones was announced by Cameron Mackintosh to play Fantine! Now, she would be too old to play anyone of the female leads, except maybe Mme Thenardier.

Hugh was probably still at WAAPA then. It is a good thing Mackintosh waited this long -- when Hugh is now age-appropriate for the role of Valjean


Jo

[Jamie]

As to being a "senior citizen", the carcass will get as old as it is going to get. Not much I can or want to do about that. The "Me" inside is permanently 36 and both of the children are resigned to being older than their mother.

[ocjackie]

That was great Birchie! You gave me a big smile and laugh today. Now it's time to tell my son.

[ocjackie]

So sorry, I thought it was Birchie, but the perks go out to you Jamie. I'm a just a little tired today. Waiting for the Madonna concert in Atlantic City.

Jackie

[njr]

Sept 15, 2012 13:22:41 GMT -5 Jamie said:

As to being a "senior citizen", the carcass will get as old as it is going to get. Not much I can or want to do about that. The "Me" inside is permanently 36 and both of the children are resigned to being older than their mother.

That's me too, but inside I think I'm permanently about 25! (same age my twins are now!) ;D

[carouselkathy]

I was thinking.....
We know that they key audience for the Les Mis film will be theater fans and possibly Boomers like most of us.

However, out of curiosity, I looked up the number of High School productions of the show that have been produced. I didn't find an exact number, but the Youtube numbers of high school productions goes on to infinity. Therefore, will this film find an audience with young people who would normally not go see a musical? A sung-through musical with operatic overtones?

I wish they would film an episode of GLEE where Kurt auditions with "Bring Him Home". It's perfect for his voice. Hugh could do a cameo coaching Kurt for the audition. It would be a great ad for the younger audience to see the film.

[Jamie]

Loved the Glee premier and yes I am a total Gleek The new guy who is a potential boyfriend for Rachel could be another one for that Hugh cameo or a competitor for Kurt in auditions since all three characters are now in NY.

[jo]

Kathy,

You might be surprised -- there is a huge following among young females :

*Why do you think Eponine is such a popular character ? Some say her tale of unrequited love resonates a lot. Why do you think On My Own is voted as favorite solo, compared to Bring Him Home and I Dreamed a Dream ( on the official facebook page)? Why do you think Lea Salonga is such a favorite ( because for a long time, her Eponine was the only one best remembered)? Why do you think there was such a fuss during the casting of Eponine ( they hated the idea of Taylor Swift because she was wrong...wrong...wrong for the role)? These demos are exultant that the actress who plays the role ( Samantha Barks) has been mentioned as a possible breakout star from the movie ( and even as another Jennifer Hudson for the Oscars).

*In the Fandango survey recently conducted ( it is somewhere here on this thread), the most anticipated movie for fall is Twilight-Breaking Dawn2 (32%) while the film that is likely to sweep the Oscars is Les Miserables ( 49%). It is likely that of the 1000 statistically valid respondents, the same population voted for the two top choices -- the young female moviegoers.

*On IMDB, someone attempted to get a demos profile of those posting there. Somehow, the stats got lost, but when I read all those responding, it was basically a young crowd!

*And there have been many school productions - which will of course widen the interest in the musical. Plus a lot of tales of people who saw it at a young age - because their folks took them even when they were younger than 10.

*Like Wicked ( which appeals to young females), the musical ( seen now in touring productions or school productions ...or still in London) continues to appeal to young females. What is amazing is that the demos continue to refresh ( you get new fans as they become teenagers).

Btw - Russell Crowe and his band are holding a concert in NYC on October 13. He has just announced that Samantha Barks will be part of that concert.

Just some observations

Jo

[jo]

But it has been so frustrating that no new trailer or updates( such as set visit reports or media features) have been made of Les Miserables lately. Post-festivals, early limited screening of arthouse movies, and the unveiling of the Lincoln trailer - there have been a flurry of praise for the Oscar contenders, with nary a new word on Les Miserables :-/

Oscar prediction sites have also been falling over themselves on the contenders for Best Picture and Best acting honors. Sadly, Hugh's chances have fallen by the wayside temporarily, predictions-wise, because nothing has really been seen of his full acting and full singing in the role of Valjean! The possibles have now expanded not just with original candidates like DDLewis, Hoffman, maybe Murray, Hawkes...and now a very stong showing for Joaquin Phoenix, and even Denzel, Bradley Cooper, Ben Affleck and lately, Richard Gere. It is getting awfully crowded!!

Unfortunately, the movie is still in post production, with orchestrations not expected to be recorded earlier than October 10!

But fans hope that the second and full theatrical trailer would be shown soon - hopefully, no later than early October! It has really been almost 4 long months since that first teaser - which unfortunately was less democratic ( meaning, no screen time was given to anybody else's singing but Anne's )!

Hurry, Les Mis !!!!!!

Don't take another 27 years to get to the Oscar podium

Jo

[ocjackie]

Does anyone besides me remember someone on the foroum saying they saw the original trailer of the movie at a theater in Connecticutt, with Snow White and the Huntsman? Maybe I'm just senile, but I thought I saw it on this board. Everytime I have gone to the movies since, I have asked, "Is the trailer for Les Mis in any of these movies"? They look at me like I have 3 eyes. I am almost positive I read it here. Am I wrong? :-[

[nevaeh777]

I saw it attached to Snow White and the Huntsman when it was out here in Toronto. It's still out there attached to different movies now. The last time I saw it was last week attached to Bourne Legacy! Have you seen that movie yet?

[ocjackie]

No, we've just gotten back from out of town. But I don't know if it's even been shown in the US. I have seen it on my computer, but would at least like to see it on the big screen. I think I'm getting a little impatient. Just like everyone else, I want it "Now", but I know it's not ready. Like I told Jo, it's really on 12 weeks away, but it still a long time.

[annetter]

I saw it for the first time last week in Queens, NY attached to "he Words"

[jo]

There is unconfirmed rumor that the full theatrical trailer ( the second trailer) may be released online on October 9! Someone on IMDB who maintains a movie site in Lebanon said that their local distributor has shared this unconfirmed piece of news.

Hope it's true !!!

Jo

[birchie]

Sept 16, 2012 15:27:41 GMT -5 carouselkathy said:

I was thinking.....
We know that they key audience for the Les Mis film will be theater fans and possibly Boomers like most of us.

However, out of curiosity, I looked up the number of High School productions of the show that have been produced. I didn't find an exact number, but the Youtube numbers of high school productions goes on to infinity. Therefore, will this film find an audience with young people who would normally not go see a musical? A sung-through musical with operatic overtones?...

That's funny, I was just thinking about that yesterday! I was watching yet another High School production of Les Mis on YouTube. I'm able to watch them on my big TV so it's fun. Anyway, I started thinking about how so many people have been saying that older, rich ladies who go to the theater will be the main demo for the movie. I've watched at least a dozen HS productions on YouTube so it occurred to me, like you, that there are thousands of HS kids out there who will be thrilled to see this movie and bring their friends. I was thinking of all the kids who will watch each role and tell their friends I played that part or I tried out for that one but ended up in the chorus etc.

As Jo said the Eponine has become THE character all the girls dream of playing.
I also do a Les Miserables search almost every day on YouTube (hoping for a surprise trailer or interview) and it amazes me how many young people post videos of themselves doing one of the songs from Les Mis. There are always several every day!

I'm with everyone else in believing that Hugh is going to be astonishing as Jean Valjean. I think this movie is going to blow the competition out of the water.

After watching so many of the HS productions, I thought I'd share the one that is still my favorite:
North Allegheny Senior High School Presents Les Misérables
(ACT 1)
youtu.be/RNFWlljOURM
(ACT 2)
youtu.be/B4Hg8F_ssrg
The second half of the Act 2 video is behind the scenes footage etc.
Enjoy! Sue

[nevaeh777]

My goodness Sue, what talent!!! Bravo North Allegheny School!! I thought I'd only watch about half an hour and ended up watching the entire production. I was glued! So many fantastic performers and the young man playing Valjean, WOW! If any of you watch this and don't have time to see the whole thing, make sure you at least see the Barricade scene where Valjean sings "Bring Him Home". I fell to pieces. This young actor belongs in theater! What a voice! I guess part of the emotion when I heard this is due to knowing that Hugh is going to blow this song out of the water. I know him. He's going to have all of us in tears when he sings this. That song alone could bring him the Oscar nomination, if not the Oscar itself. As I was listening to the song, I could see Hugh doing it in my mind and.....wow! :'(

Thanks Sue for sharing this! Wish we could all get together in one theater and see this when it comes out. That way we could all be mush together!

[jo]

due to knowing that Hugh is going to blow this song out of the water. I know him. He's going to have all of us in tears when he sings this. That song alone could bring him the Oscar nomination, if not the Oscar itself. As I was listening to the song, I could see Hugh doing it in my mind and.....wow!

Re filming BRING HIM HOME --

These were tweeted by " the barricade boys" ( the West End/London actors who were cast in the movie version, many of them having been part of a Les Miserables stage production at some point) and Sam Barks when Hugh filmed the song --


Andy Coxon ? @andycoxon1
Hugh Jackman singing 'bring him home' 14 times in 2 hours. #musicaltheatrehistory and I was there #lesmisfilm #lesmismovie

Andy Coxon ? @andycoxon1
@oliviaoshea1 phenomenal!!! Xx

Joseph Peters ? @joeypetes22
Hugh jackman singing Bring him home is spectacular. The world is in for a treat!

Iwan Lewis ? @iwylewis
Pretty chilled out day on the #lesmismovie set. Sleeping on a barricade all day listening to Hugh Jackman sing Bring Him Home. #awesome

Alistair Brammer ? @alistairbrammer
@realhughjackman bravo sir. Top job today. And now sleep!

Samantha barks?@samanthabarks
@realhughjackman how you feeling after yesterday? Can only describe it in one word... STUNNING! Congratulations! X

Joseph Peters who tweeted that " the world is in for a treat" is not just an actor but also a vocal coach, so his comment carries even more weight.

Jo

[nevaeh777]

Just confirms Jo that I'm going to have to take an entire box of Kleenex with me when I go see this!

[jo]

As appealing as the notes and lyrics of BRING HIM HOME are ( and what a poignant prayerful plea to God and a declaration of filial love it is!), but to me - my most anticipated Valjean moments from the movie would probaby be WHO AM I?

This is the scene where Valjean faces his greatest moral dilemma...and which ultimately defines his redemption!

I can see Hugh in full acting mode, as well as in full singing mode -- from the almost incoherent verbalizing of his thoughts and dilemma to his resolving the moral issues and to his strong declaration of his firm resolve to do what is right and to tell the world he is indeed Jean Valjean!

If there is any definitive Oscar moment -- I hope this is the scene and this is the song!!


Hugh himself talked about the challenge of how this song will go, even before he started filming. Later on, when asked which was his favorite song to sing, he said sometimes it is Bring Him Home but sometimes it is Who Am I??

Here is an account of an extra who witnessed the filming --

My day on the Les Mis set
justin1976 on Mon Jun 11, 2012 2:19 am

.So - here goes:


...Outside the marquee we all had additional photographs taken and then when it began to grow dark we were taken by a fleet of minibuses to a church within the dockyard that had been converted into a courthouse. There was a tall structure at the far end (where the altar would be) with a curved set of steps leading up to it on both sides. The actor playing the judge was seated at the top, with a magistrate on either side of him. Below this was a huge desk covered in parchments, quills etc at which the two senior clerks were placed. In front of them was a desk for three of the junior clerks, and I was asked to stand at the bottom of the steps leading to the judge. The convict was chained to a low wall which divided the legals from the pews in which everyone else was sat. (The convicts 'chains' around his hands looked very heavy - but were actually made of soft rubber which had been aged.

The assistant director then set the scene for us as the technical crew entered and began to set up lighting etc. We were told that The Mayor (Hugh Jackman) would rush in and declare that the convict was wrongly accused and that he himself was Prisoner 24601! Sacre Bleu!

I was told that, at the given moment, I should walk towards the junior clerk's desk and then stand in shock and amazement (along with everyone else) when the mayor makes his announcement. The director (Tom Hooper) then came in and had a chat with the crew to set up the scene. Hugh Jackman then entered. He was wearing a green frock-coat and he was clean shaven with a wavy wig. He looked very dapper indeed. At this point candles were lit in the various candelabra in the legal section, and then we had a rehearsal. When Valjean rushes in, he looks up at the judge and sings 'and so, Your Honour, you see it's true...' unlike the show in which he sings 'and so Javert you see it's true' as the first section of the song had been filmed elsewhere. He entered on the line 'My soul belongs to God I know' and the congregation had to stand en masse in surprise. He then rushed to where the convict as standing to finish the song (about two feet from where I was standing). Hugh Jackman BELTED the last line out - it was amazing to see him sing that. The key is the same as the show, including the high note which he managed effortlessly. The judge then stepped down, walked past me and there was some spoken dialogue in which Valjean asks him to speak to Javert.

The scene was filmed about ten times before Tom Hooper yelled 'Cut! It's a wrap'. It was shot using several cameras in various positions...

Another extra also tweeted this --

>>>Kieran Doble
I played one of the legals in the court scene and sat right in front of Hugh as he belted out 24601!! He was amazing. He will definitely do the part justice I can tell you that for sure <<<


That is the part which ends with the famous --

Who am I
2-4-6-0-1!


Jo

[jo]

I already have several T-shirts with " 24601" ready for watching the movie ... and wearing it around when the movie is on release here

[ocjackie]

Me too, Jo. I also bought one that says "What would 24601do?" I bought a couple, hopefully to be worn at midnight 12/14. I do wish we all could be together.. What a powerful movie it's going to be, but the waiting is killing me. I guess anticipation is a good thing.

[jo]

News is more on the possibility of filmization of MISS SAIGON, but there are references to LES MISERABLES --

www.telegraph.co.uk/culture/film/film-news/9549163/Sir-Cameron-Mackintosh-says-Miss-Saigon-is-next-musical-destined-for-the-big-screen.html

***************************************************

>>>Sir Cameron Mackintosh says Miss Saigon is next musical destined for the big screen

Cameron Mackintosh, the West End impresario, says the musical Miss Saigon will be turned into a film if the current film adaptation of Les Misérables is a success.


Tim Walker. Edited by Katy Balls
7:30AM BST 18 Sep 2012

As an all-star cast, including Eddie Redmayne, Hugh Jackman and Anne Hathaway, prepares to face the critics this Christmas when the multi-million-pound film adaptation of Les Misérables is released, there is one man in particular who will be hoping that the tills will be ringing.

Sir Cameron Mackintosh, the West End impresario, says the musical Miss Saigon will also be turned into a film if Les Misérables is a box office hit. “If Les Mis is a success then Miss Saigon will be made into a film,” he tells Mandrake at the opening of the St. James Theatre. “It isn’t confirmed at this point but there are many people sniffing around and offers coming in.”

Miss Saigon, produced originally by Sir Cameron, is based on Puccini’s opera Madame Butterfly, and tells the story of an ill-fated romance involving an Asian woman abandoned by an American soldier. The musical is set in 1970s Saigon during the Vietnam War.

Happily, Mackintosh is able to devote his time to making his old productions into films. “I am in that glorious position where I can redesign and re-package my own work,” the 65 year-old says.

Sir Cameron, however, needs to finish work as producer on Les Misérables, before he can focus on Miss Saigon. “The promotion of Les Mis worldwide will take a whole month, you can spend more time publicising a project than you do making it.”<<<

*************************************************


Re the promotion of Les Miserables - the movie is not being released on the same day/date worldwide, so maybe he is just referring to key premieres in several cities ( London, which is rumored for a December 3 premiere, LA and NYC likely for the USA premiere, Australia, maybe Japan...and hopefully, also Paris!

And if the movie is a strong Oscar/GoldenGlobe/SAG contender - he may have to join Universal bigwigs in promoting the movie and its actors in various events/parties in Hollywoodland ;D

If the movie is planning to premiere in London on December 3, one is really talking of only 76 days to go!!! Will they be ready??!!!!!!!

Jo

[birchie]

Sept 17, 2012 16:11:00 GMT -5 nevaeh777 said:

...I guess part of the emotion when I heard this is due to knowing that Hugh is going to blow this song out of the water. I know him. He's going to have all of us in tears when he sings this. That song alone could bring him the Oscar nomination, if not the Oscar itself. As I was listening to the song, I could see Hugh doing it in my mind and.....wow! :'(

Thanks Sue for sharing this! Wish we could all get together in one theater and see this when it comes out. That way we could all be mush together!

That would be wonderful, we could just pass around a giant box of tissues. LOL! I think maybe in any theater we go to and whoever we're sitting with we will need to have lots of tissues available. There are certain scenes that just get me no matter how many times I've seen them, and as you say, picturing Hugh doing these just makes me feel the emotions even more. Sue

[mamaleh]

I can see their hiring someone like Eddie Redmayne for the lead role of the young American soldier in MISS SAIGON. Too bad Hugh can't pass for 22.

Ellen