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Australian superstars Russell Crowe and Hugh Jackman are teaming up for the upcoming musical adaptation of Victor Hugo's Les Miserables. Crowe has signed on to play the unmerciful Javert to Jackman's selfless Jean Valjean, in Tom Hooper's big-screen version of the legendary Broadway musical.
For those unfamiliar with Hugo's epic 19th century tale, Javert is a stern and callous police inspector who will stop at nothing to recapture Jean Valjean, a reformed prisoner who served a 19-year sentence for stealing bread to feed his hungry nieces and nephews. Even though Valjean has taken on a new identity as a respectable citizen and guardian to a young orphan, Javert is singularly focused on sending him back to prison.
Hooper, the Academy Award-winning director of The King's Speech, will direct the film, which already has a Dec. 7, 2012 release date. According to EW.com, Sir Cameron MacKintosh, who produced the stage production and is a producer of the movie, sys he's overjoyed by the casting:
"Not only were they born to play these roles vocally, but they thrillingly inhabit this great score," he said.
Crowe isn't the only A-lister interested in the adaptation. Helena Bonham Carter, Anne Hathaway and Geoffrey Rush are also reportedly in talks to star in the film.
Here's a peek at Valjean and Javert's famous "Confrontation" duet. We can't wait to see Jackman and Crowe's take on it.
