Hugh Jackman on ‘Les Miserables’: “I think we’re going for something risky and we’re doing something that’s never been done before”

Hugh Jackman recently appeared back in New York to accept a special Tony award, but he’s mostly been in London shooting the film adaptation of the Broadway classic, Les Miserables.

Hugh Jackman recently appeared back in New York to accept a special Tony award, but he’s mostly been in London shooting the film adaptation of the Broadway classic, Les Miserables.

Jackman told Broadway.com, “It’s going great.  I don’t think I’ve ever quite received the kind of feedback from a teaser trailer before.  I’ve done enough [movies] to know when it’s BS and when it’s not, so I can tell there was genuine excitement.  I think we’re going for something risky and we’re doing something that’s never been done before.”

Jackman has been having an interesting experience playing the role of Jean Valjean.  The actors all sing their songs live on set rather than having their vocals pre-recorded.  He said, “Every day at work is like opening night.  You never know when you wake up, that song you sing [that day], you may never sing it again.  That’s it.  There’s no post-production.  Everything is live.”

The role of Valjean offers many impressive songs for the Aussie to perform, but Jackman has trouble picking a favorite.  He admitted, “It’s a tough one.  I think maybe ‘Who Am I?’  I love the dilemma that’s going on in that song and the orchestrations of it.  But if you ask me tomorrow I’ll tell you it’s ‘Bring Him Home,’ and then I’ll change my mind again!”

Les Miserables opens in theaters Dec. 7.

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