Live Singing and Strict Diets for cast of Les Miserables Movie

Tony-award winner Hugh Jackman is still performing his one man show Hugh Jackman Back on Broadway at the Broadhurst Theatre until January 1st 2012, but has now confirmed that he will be heading for London at the end of January to begin rehearsals to play Jean Valjean in the movie version of Les Miserables.

Jackman said: "We start filming in March, and rehearsals at the end of January. It's an eighteen-year-period where I take the character”. At the start he's in a prison camp and Tom Hooper wants him to look the part in the early episodes of Valjean (starving-look, no pecs, etc) as Valjean is initially shown in a prison camp . . . moving to a bulk that is "massive like an ox".

Sacha Baron Cohen who is playing innkeeper Thenardier has reportedly been told he must sing live in the new film version. Unlike most film musicals, the cast will record their vocals live on camera rather than go into a studio first then mime on film to the pre-recorded vocal.

It's going to be hard work for the cast as they have to learn the complex songs, then they'll have to get it right on set in front of the other stars and crew.