According to The Hollywood Reporter, Russell Crowe and Helena Bonham Carter are set to join Hugh Jackman in Les Mis�rables.

The two stars are said to be negotiations to join the project, which adapts Victor Hugo's novel via the famous musical by Claude-Muchel Sch�nberg.

Crowe's up for the role of policeman Javert, who doggedly pursues Jackman's Jean '24601' Valjean throughout the French Revolution-set story.

Russ is no stranger to banging out a tune with his band 30 Odd Foot Of Grunts.

Bonham Carter is up for the role of Mme Th�nardier, one half of the story's villainous coupling of scummy innkeepers. After her grottily melodic turn in Sweeney Todd, this sounds like welcome casting to us.

She won a Bafta for her role as Queen Elizabeth in The King's Speech, so it isn't surprising that she and Hooper are keen to collaborate again.

Tom Hooper seems to be cashing in on his post-King's Speech heat to score a heck of a cast for this Les Mis, and by the looks of it, he might be setting his sights on Oscar glory again. Source: www.totalfilm.com

Anne Hathaway circling Les Miserables [30th August 2011 06:50:01]

You can't move of late for gossip surrounding Working Title's upcoming adaptation of stage musical Les Miserables. Having already secured Hugh Jackman for leading man Valjean, it appears that the studio are hungry to add more A-listers as soon as possible.

Recent casting rumours have linked Russell Crowe with the role of Javert, whilst Geoffrey Rush is apparently in the frame to play Thenardier. Helena Bonham Carter meanwhile, has been touted for the part of Madame Thenardier.

Then there are the roles of Epanine and Cosette, over which Hayden Panettiere, Miranda Cosgrove, Lucy Hale, and Emma Watson are apparently competing, not to mention the tussle between Rebecca Hall and Amy Adams over the part of Fantine.

It's actually that last rumour that just got more complicated, with Broadway World reporting that Anne Hathaway is in talks to play Fantine on the recommendation of Jackman himself.

If you'll recall, Hathaway showed off her admirable singing voice in a duet with Jackman at the 2009 Oscars, and would certainly fit the bill in terms of outright star power.

For those who aren't musical fans, Les Miserables charts the attempts of convict Valjean to attain redemption in a world riddled with poverty and ignorance. And singing. The film will be directed by The King's Speech helmer Tom Hooper and should begin filming at the beginning of next year. Source: www.totalfilm.com