Hugh Jackman has announced that the film version of the popular musical “Les Miserables” will feature a new song sung by his character, Jean Valjean. According to the Los Angeles Times, the actor made the announcement through his Twitter account.
Little else is known about the song, which was reportedly written by the original composer Claude-Michel Schonberg. Jackman himself is in rehearsals for the film, with filming expected to begin soon in order to reach the goal of a December release date.
Although lovers of the hit musical may be skeptical about the idea of a new song, the LA Times notes that new numbers are often written when stage musicals jump to the silver screen. Some, like the new song written by Andrew Lloyd Webber and Tim Rice for 1996’s “Evita,” even win Oscars.
Lloyd Webber also wrote a new song when “The Phantom of the Opera” moved off the stage, and Maury Yeston penned an original number for the 2009 film version of his musical “Nine.”
“Les Miserables” is being directed by Tom Hooper, and will star Russell Crowe as Inspector Javert, Anne Hathaway as Fantine, Amanda Seyfried as Cosette and Samantha Barks as Eponine. Other cast members reportedly include Helena Bonham Carter and Sacha Baron Cohen as the Thenardiers.
The musical, which was based on the Victor Hugo novel, won massive acclaim when it debuted on Broadway in 1987. It ran through 2003, through a new touring production recently revived the musical.
