Hugh Jackman in talks to star in Tom Hooper's LES MISERABLES

Hugh Jackman is in talks to star in Tom Hooper's (The King's Speech) adaptation of Les Miserables for Universal and Working Title. THR reports that Jackman would play the role of Jean Valjean, "the man who steals bread to feed his sister and spends the ensuing years in prison (or trying to escape it) while also becoming the guardian of a young woman named Cosette."

The script for this adaptation was penned by William Nicholson, which is based on the book by Victor Hugo. Most fans know of it as being one of the longest-running musicals around.

If you are not familiar with the story or Valjean, here is some information about the character from Wikipedia:

Jean Valjean (also referred to as "Monsieur Madeleine," "Ultime Fauchelevent," "Monsieur Leblanc," "Urbain Fabre," "24601" and "9430"; c. 1769-1833) is the protagonist of Victor Hugo's 1862 novel Les Misérables. The character's nineteen year-long struggle with the law for stealing bread so he could feed his sister's children (5 years for the theft, 12 years for four attempted escapes and 2 years for fighting back during one escape attempt) during a time of economic and social depression—along with police inspector Javert, who relentlessly pursues Valjean—has become archetypal in literary culture. While in prison, he was first labeled 24601 then labeled 9430.

Valjean's character in Les Misérables teaches the reader that redemption is possible for anyone, anywhere. His struggle highlights man's capacity for cruelty to his fellow man. As a parolee, Valjean is branded an outcast and his passport (his identification card) is yellow colored—identifying him to all as a former offender

No deal has been made yet, but we will keep you posted on this story. I would be interested in seeing Jackman in this film, especially under Hooper's direction. What are your thoughts?

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