The Boublil and Schonberg Monoliths on Screen
Monday 26th October, 9.34am
By Carrie Dunn
The rumours that both Les Miserables and Miss Saigon will be on the silver screen before too long delight me considerably. Of course, we shouldn’t get our hopes up yet, as Les Mis was lined up for a cinema transfer back in 1992 and nothing was ever heard about it, but these plans seem a little more concrete, with creatives’ names attached to the projects already. So let the guessing games commence. Who’ll be cast? Here are my initial thoughts:
Is Miss Saigon coming to the big screen?
Les Miserables: Amy Adams, who was magnificent in Enchanted, could make a good Fantine; and still on a Disney track, would James Marsden be too old to play Enjolras and don the famous waistcoat? Anne Hathaway, Andrew Lloyd Webber’s newest protege, could play the older Cosette — she’s wide-eyed enough and can definitely imbue the role with the requisite amount of whininess. Could Zac Efron manage Empty Chairs At Empty Tables as Marius? And as for Eponine, bear with me — how about Kimberley Walsh? She made her West End debut in Les Mis, singing On My Own at the curtain call, and it’d certainly be interesting casting. That’s if she can act, of course. Failing that, I’ll lobby for Sheridan Smith.
There’s a wealth of comedic talent who could make a good job of the Thenardiers — Alistair McGowan, Rowan Atkinson, Alun Armstrong, Ricky Gervais; Julie Walters, Dawn French, Victoria Wood, Kathy Burke — or how about Ade Edmondson and Jennifer Saunders? I’d love Richard Armitage to return to musicals and take on the role of Javert — he’d do an excellent job as the brooding, menacing policeman. If Colm Wilkinson plays Valjean again, I shall scream. I have enough evidence of his portrayal now, and I’d quite like to see someone else try it.
Who’s got the gravitas and the range to take it on? Can I suggest the Jackman, or is my obsession overruling any kind of sense?
Miss Saigon: Casting here will be tricky; the producers will want to avoid the kind of kerfuffle that arose when Jonathan Pryce and Keith Burns played Asian characters and had the make-up to match. However, I suspect we’ll have similar issues as with Memoirs Of A Geisha — any actor with vaguely “Asian” looks will be up for a role. I can see Jamie Foxx fancying another shot at an Oscar as Best Supporting Actor as John — but would he be comfortable with just the one big solo in Bui Doi? I’d like to see Reese Witherspoon as Ellen — breezy, smiley, all-American girl, but with the ability to make Chris’s usurping wife at least a little more likeable.
And why do I get a sneaky suspicion that John Barrowman will be angling to reprise the role of Chris? That would, of course, be ridiculous. Obviously if the Jackman was ten years younger I’d suggest him, but as that’s not an option I’d opt for a smaller name with a track record in musicals and screen acting, to play opposite an even more unknown Kim. My suggestion is Tony-nominated Stark Sands, about to star in The Ballad of Bonnie and Clyde in San Diego, and currently swaggering around in uniform in Generation Kill. As for the Engineer — I’ve really no idea. Any thoughts?
Psst – Carrie…there was a film version of Les Mis in 1998 with Claire Danes, Uma Thurman and Liam Neeson. Probably says something about it that you didn’t remember it though!