Hugh Jackman Speaks On ‘Les Misérables’ & Live Theatre

In a recent interview with Parade, Hugh Jackman spoke on a number of subjects including his work on Tom Hooper’s (The King’s Speech) feature adaptation of Victor Hugo’s 1862 novel and stage musical, ‘Les Misérables.’ Arriving in cinemas December 7th in the US and January 11th in the UK, ‘Les Misérables’ stars Hugh Jackman as Jean Valjean alongside Russell Crowe as Javert, Amanda Seyfried as Cosette, Anne Hathaway as Fantine, Samantha Barks as Eponine, Aaron Tveit as Enjolras, Eddie Redmayne as Marius, Sacha Baron Cohen as Monsieur Thenardierto, and Helena Bonham Carter as Madame Thénardier. Speaking about his work on the film, Hugh Jackman revealed, “It’s great. We have one more week of filming and I pinch myself every day. We are singing every single take of the song. As a performer, it’s fantastic. It’s obviously challenging, especially when the call is at 8:30 in the morning, but it is so immediate. It is really about the acting. ‘Les Miserables’ is one of the greatest stories ever told, and it really is an uplifting story about the human spirit. It is a rare feeling to be in something that you know you will look back on as one the highlights of your life.”

Hugh Jackman also touched on his transformation to play Jean Valjean, “I had to actually make two transformations because my character begins as a prisoner. He’s known for his strength, so I had to be strong, but very emaciated. I am now currently filming the part where I’m the mayor, so it’s 10 years later and I’ve found a bit of money and had a couple meals! I just weighed myself today and I am 24 pounds heavier than I was in the beginning of the film.” 

Following his recent Tony Award honoring his contribution to the Broadway community and for his charity work, Hugh Jackman spoke on his love for theatre, “Still to this day, anytime I’m doing any show, no matter what time I come on, if it’s the beginning or the end, I always go down just after places is called and just stand close to the curtain and listen to that buzz in the audience. For me, it’s one of the great things, hearing the excitement of an audience coming to see a show. Magic can happen and I hope to keep coming back…As an actor, of my top 10 moments, all of them would be on stage. Not to knock movies but something magical can happen on stage.” 

Here’s the official synopsis for Tom Hooper’s ‘Les Misérables’: Les Misérables is the motion-picture adaptation of the beloved global stage sensation seen by more than 60 million people in 42 countries and in 21 languages around the globe and still breaking box-office records everywhere in its 27th year. Helmed by The King’s Speech‘s Academy Award®-winning director, Tom Hooper, the Working Title/Cameron Mackintosh production stars Hugh Jackman, Oscar® winner Russell Crowe, Anne Hathaway, Eddie Redmayne, Amanda Seyfried, Anne Hathaway, Samantha Barks, Aaron Tveit, Eddie Redmayne, Sacha Baron Cohen, and Helena Bonham Carter.

Set against the backdrop of 19th-century France, Les Misérables tells an enthralling story of broken dreams and unrequited love, passion, sacrifice and redemption–a timeless testament to the survival of the human spirit. Hugh Jackman plays ex-prisoner Jean Valjean, hunted for decades by the ruthless policeman Javert (Russell Crowe) after he breaks parole. When Valjean agrees to care for factory worker Fantine’s (Anne Hathaway) young daughter, Cosette, their lives change forever.

In December 2012, the world’s longest-running musical brings its power to the big screen in Tom Hooper’s sweeping and spectacular interpretation of Victor Hugo’s epic tale. With international superstars and beloved songs–including “I Dreamed a Dream,” “Bring Him Home,” “One Day More” and “On My Own”–Les Misérables, the show of shows, is now reborn as the cinematic musical experience of a lifetime.