It has come to our attention (both through viewing the movie ourselves and reading most responses to the film…) that Russell Crowe was not really a favorite in the Les Miserables film. He was…well, how do I say this nicely? Not exactly great. To quote a family member of mine who is a HUGE Russell Crowe fan, “If I were in charge of his career, I never would’ve let him do this part.”
I’m not trying to be mean, but I think we can all agree that he was the least ready for the part. His singing was strained, it didn’t really seem like he bought the character. Truth is, there is even an interview with the actor himself where he admits that he didn’t like Javert. Look, WE don’t either, but if you’re going to play him, you should at least convince yourself that you like him and believe his motivation for the duration of the film. But I think his singing was his biggest offense, especially when so many people could’ve done it better. Am I right?
Basically, what we want to know is who you think SHOULD have played Javert in the movie instead of Russell Crowe?
In a comment below, tell us your nominations and we will tally up the most popular for everyone to vote on!
Norm Lewis! The man was the PERFECT Javert in the 25th anniversary concert!
NORM LEWIS!
If we are looking at movie stars then I nominate Ewan mcgregor
I’m partial to Hadley Fraser!
Norm Lewis. Period.
Norm Lewis. He was amazing in the 25th anniversary concert.
Hadley Fraser
No question. Norm Lewis.
Norm Lewis. No questions!
Norm Lewis
Norm Lewis
Hadley Fraser!!
Norm Lewis duh no question about it he was great in the 25th anniversary concert!!!
Jeremy Kushnier please
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=W_kG767DoU4
Gerard Butler, stature, great singing voice, and big enough name for a gazillion dollar movie
Being someone who sings myself and impressed by his Phantom performance and other roles, I 100% agree with you that Gerard Butler would’ve made an excellent Javert. Of course Quast is an amazing performer but, in a Hollywood sense, I would say Butler would be the best choice in this domain if they didn’t want to expand beyond that circle. I felt Crowe’s acting and singing were both flat, he did not have the singing chops for the part and I think that got in the way of his acting as well.
I totally thought Gerard Butler should have played Javert! and Phillip Quast went to my school so I’d say he could have too, but Butler would have fit the movie version perfectly
NORM LEWIS. Is that even a question?
From the first time I saw the play, I’ve wanted to see David Bowie play Javert
Norm Lewis would be the obvious choice since he was great in the 25th anniversary concert – no argument there. I would, however, be curious to see how Gerard Butler would portray Javert though.
Norm Lewis. All the way
Robert Downey Jr., an A-list celebrity who can sing and would probably be brilliant in the part
Ramin Karimloo!!!! How does that sound?
As much as I love Ramin, and I really really am in sick love with him, yes he would have done amazing (obviously vocally) but you’re supposed to hate Javert…and who could hate Ramin Karimloo???
If we could choose anyone…then Hadley Fraser! But if they have to be a movie star…then it could be Hugh Jackman in disguise! haha
Hadley, no doubt.
Danny DeVito would have had an interesting take on it.
Kevin Kline, Christoph Waltz, and Tim Curry if you’re looking for talented film actor-singers.
Timm Curry may unfortunately be too old now for them to be able to show him over the years as the story permits. But I would LOVE to see him do it!
Mmmmmm Tim Curry would have been yummy. Also, Kevin Spacey, but mostly cause I kept thinking Crowe was Spacey. I blame the facial hair.
Hadley Fraser, hands down.
Richard Armitage–musical theater background, good voice, amazing actor. Done.
Agreed.
Joachin Phoenix!
Brandon Fraser! Lol all joking aside, Alan Rickman would’ve probably killed it!
Harry Connick, Jr. Great voice/singer, and a movie star to boot.
I will say this, he wore the uniform well, his singing wasn’t the worst I’ve ever heard and as another critic pointed out, he was masterful on that horse….but alas, he failed as a convincing javert! He’s not a singer with the training required to sing as required for this part. That said….I like the idea of Ewan MacGregor!
It was too bad that Norm Lewis was in Porgy and Bess because he would have been perfect. I old have liked to see Gerard Butler
NORM LEWIS
ALAN RICKMAN- HE HAS A TRUE BASS BARITONE SINGING VOICE AND IS A BRILLIANT ACTOR…WOULD HAVE BEEN AMAZING WITH HIM!
SO TRUE
Russel Crowe should have played Javert as cast. I really feel that Russell Crowe played Javert with galantry, dignity and the over-confidence that is portrayed in the novel. He starts to unravel at the barricade just as he does in the novel. Javert is not a strong, powerful man. He is a small, petty man, consumed by the fact that his mother was a convict. He feels that he must fight every moment of his life to overcome this terrible burden placed upon him at birth. I feel that Cameron Mackintosh, Claude-Michel Schönberg, Alain Boublil, Herbert Kretzmer, William Nicholson and Tom Hooper did an EXCELLENT job when they chose Russell Crowe as Inspector Javert. No, he is not the power house that we have come to expect from the stage productions, but Russell Crowe played Javert much more like the Inspector Javert of the original Victor Hugo Novel. And for this, I say BRAVO! There is room enough in this world for both interpretations.
Bravo for that comment. If there was an alternative, it would have to be the wonderful Phillip Quast.
I agree 100%. I have seen the stage production hundreds of times, over the span of 25 years. I am also a huge Victor Hugo fan and I thought Russel Crowe was an excellent choice to play the character, on film. I think people forget that film and theater are two completely different mediums, and what works on one rarely works for the other. Anne Hathaway’s brilliant interpretation of “I Dreamed a Dream” would be never work, in a live production whereas the larger than life, dynamic performances we’ve seen on stage, are over the top and overbearing in the confines of a movie screen. Watch Samantha Barks’ performance of “On My Own” on stage, and then watch her perform the same song, in the film. There is a huge difference.
I noticed that too. I saw her in the 25th Anniversary and thought her performance was stellar. I saw her two years later in this movie and was slightly disappointed. I think that the difference is, she was mic’d differently in the movie; she had to project to a camera three feet away as opposed to a human on the other side of the O2. As such, the movie was done in less of her “chest voice” and more in her “head voice.” She was still fabulous!
Well said, Chris. I believe that every needs to keep in mind that this movie was based more on the original novel than the stage production. If you have only seen the musical, I would recommend reading the book; the two are quite a bit different (I personally prefer the stage adaptation). Crowe was perfect for the Javert from the novel.
All respect, but I’ve read the book several times and I can’t agree that the film’s / Crowe’s Javert is consistent with the original.
Would you say that in the film, on confronting Valjean and Fantine, Crowe showed this:
The deformity of triumph overspread that narrow brow. All the demonstrations of horror which a satisfied face can afford were there.
Javert was in heaven at that moment…Erect, haughty, brilliant, he flaunted abroad in open day the superhuman bestiality of a ferocious archangel. …The honest, pitiless joy of a fanatic in the full flood of his atrocity preserves a certain lugubriously venerable radiance.
Or that mourning Gavroche and the students is consistent with this:
He might, athwart his revery, have also reproached himself on the subject of that insurgent who had been taken to the Rue del Filles-du-Calvaire; but he never even thought of that. The lesser fault was lost in the greater. Besides, that insurgent was, obviously, a dead man and, legally, death extinguishes pursuit. Jean Valjean was the load which weighed upon his spirit.
I’m not saying that there’s nothing interesting or worthwhile in the film’s take on Javert, I just don’t think it’s consistent with the book.
Personally, I think Philip Quast is the one who would have done the best, both acting and singing. He’s not just a great voice; he’s a talented and seasoned film actor. It’s not like he would have made all the same choices he did during a stage concert. And for me, he finds the best balance between ferocious passion and cold discipline. I like Norm Lewis a lot, too, but for my taste, he’s a bit too far to the cold side. Personal preference. Crowe, for me, didn’t convey the intensity of either the zealot’s joy or the man’s “poignant anguish”.
Again, all respect – I enjoy the discussion.
Norm Lewis!! I love him.
However, if they NEEDED a name, I would have suggested Gerard Butler.
Although not exactly a known name here one of England’s most acclaimed and brilliant actors. If anyone saw his Iago they’d know what a villainous Javert he’d have made. And yes he can sing. But his casting would’ve meant Hollywood would’ve had to have thought outside the box which we all know they rarely do.
Who are you talking about?
A response to Chris Mitchell: if you wanted to see an interpretation that wasn’t based on the stage show then you should watch the non-musical movies.
(1) If you wanted to see a stage show interpretation of a musical, you should probably go see it at a theater (2) The stage show and characters, to which you refer, are based on Victor Hugo’s novel. If you wanted to see a musical without complex, multi dimensional, richly written characters… perhaps you should steer clear of musicals based on tragic 19th century French novels.
Written on my FB page on Christmas Day after seeing the movie:
I have 2 words for Russell Crowe: Norm. Lewis.
Norm Lewis!! Without a doubt.
Just about any stage Javert would have sufficed (Norm Lewis, Michael McCarthy, Robert Hunt, Drew Sarich to name but a few) though I would have a loved to have seen Terrence Mann reprise this role.
Wholeheartedly agree — Terrence Mann would have killed in this role.
Pierce Brosnan. Send James Bond instead of Gladiator to catch Wolverine. The pained expression while singing in Mamma Mia would parallel the Javert’s inner turmoil.
There’s only one answer — Norm Lewis. If he’s not available, Terrence Mann.
Terrence Mann!!!! Gerard Butler would have been amazing too! Loveee him! Aside from the Singing I thought Crowe’s acting was pretty decent. I found him to be convincing. I’ve never really been a fan of his but I didn’t mind him. I thought I was going to be way more disappointed with him than I was!
We sat around my house on Christmas night after seeing it and we all agreed on the following choices — Alan Rickman(Sweeney Todd), Ralph Fiennes (he sang as Pharoah in Prince of Egypt) Geoffrey Rush or even Tom Hanks (if we were going to A list and not care about vocals)
Alan would’ve been amazing!
Daniel Day Lewis! (Seriously…)
James Barbour, Terry Mann – still, Norm Lewis, William Michals, Brian Stokes Mitchell…basically any amazing Broadway leading man. I went with someone who had never seen Les Miz…when Russell Crowe would come on she’d say “not him again”….When we got home I played a recording of William Michals singing Stars….a whole different experience.
I think Tam Mutu who is currently playing Javert in the London production of Les Mis should have been cast!
Phillip Quast, who has played the role before and is fantastic.
I fully agree with you! When I picture Javert, I see Quast! I’ve seen the play a number of times & still come back to PQ. Crowe was such a disappointment to me.
Gregory Jbara!
Philip Quast is the only man for the job.
Will Swenson!
Philip Quast, who has the best voice of the lot.
I love the idea of Hayley Fraser, too. His expression is so raw and real.
Philip Quast see 10th anniversary concert out sings and out acts any one else and can ride a horse! Even out shines Rc in the eye dept as well.
Keeping with the Ausrtralian connection I think Anthony Warlow would have been terrific.
I would have loved to see Terrence Mann in the role again…norm Lewis was great but they can’t do colorblind casting as they do on broadway…maybe James Barbour
Norm Lewis is obviously the best! But if it has to be a Hollywood name, I think that Tim Curry, Kevin Kline, or even Hugh Jackman would have made a better Javert. HJ was ok as JVJ but I didn’t like that they lowered the key on some of the songs for him. JVJ should have been played by someone that could sing the part as it was written. The best part of Russell Crowe’s performance was when he committed suicude!
Why, Philip Quast of course!!!
Philip Quast, perfect as Javert on stage and in the Dream Cast concert.
Richard Armitage, has the right aura for the part and as evidenced in The Hobbit, he can sing very well.
Other actors to consider: Alan Rickman or Ralph Fiennes- both who can sing and have amazing presence.
Another thought, Jason Isaacs would be great.
Alan all the way
Only Phillip Quast.
Out of movie stars, id say robert downey jr, alan rickman, or gerard butler. And i think it would only be realistic to cast an established screen actor considering the scope of the project
Honestly? I see Jackman more as Javert, because he has that sometimes-angry edge to his acting and Javert is the angry character. Valjean, with the exception of the opening segment where he tears up his parole papers, is almost never angry. I would love to see what Jackman would do with the role – though we know it will never happen since he has played Valjean. But were I casting the film (well, there are a LOT of cast changes I would make – but let’s just discuss this one here), I would cast Jackman as Javert and then someone who looks physically a little older as Valjean. Maybe see how young we can make Wilkinson look – or perhaps use Randal Keith, who did a masterful job with Valjean on Broadway and on tour, and physically looks like he could possess the strength Valjean does. And before someone says – “But he’s not a name,” well, neither were Neeley and Anderson when JCS was filmed and everything worked out just fine.
Philip Quast much better actor and he can sing. Norm Lewis good voice but a bit stiff seems to lack acting skills.
Wasn’t, Hugh Jackman originally canvassed as playing Javert? He is of course a baritone.
Yes Cat,
Hugh Jackman was orginally casted as Javert and Alfie Boe as Jean Valjean. However, Alfie Boe couldn’t do the film because of a UK Tour
I would have loved that movie so much better. Jackman was excellent, but he is nowhere near as good as Alfie Boe.
John Owen Jones would have also been another great choice for Jean Valjean
Philip Quast. End of discussion.
Philip Quast, the original (australia) and best. His voice and acting ability is perfect for the role of Javert.
First of all at all the people saying Norm Lewis, Really? In a musical it might be ok because you aren’t getting that in the face acting but in a movie that takes place in 1800′s there is no way there could be a black police inspector.
And going off of that we could sit here and name singers all day long that have better voices for this part. I could name better people to replace Hugh Jackman too, but it’s not about just singing it’s about real life i can see every detail on your face acting. No musical actor could do what the actors in this movie did. On top of that I thought Russell Crowe had a brilliant performance both in making me understand his character and dilemma and he sang very well, It might have been different that what you are used to but different doesn’t equal bad.
Has to be Philip Quast.
He is only two years older than Crowe, has a fabulous voice and his interpretation of Javert is faultless – just check the clips on YouTube if you doubt me.
Isn’t he 7 years older? Born in 1957 and Crowe in 1964?
Norm Lewis.
The movie deserved a director who understands the musical form. The role is a singing role and would have been better served with someone who could sing and act. Russell Crowe’s stilted performance and amateurish approach to sung text was unbearable. I would have loved to see & hear Phillip Quast or Brian Stokes Mitchell.
Natalie Weiss. Watch her “Les Mis in 6 minutes” video!
lol
David Hasselhoff
Crowe did a fine job…I have to say I appreciated his interpretation more the second time I saw the film. I had mentally prepared myself for something different than anything else I’d seen or heard previously.
That being said…if I ran things…
The amazingly incomparable Philip Quast.
Anyone who believes a very talented actor who may project a certain way on stage would give the exact performance on film, does not understand the quality of actor you would be dealing with.
Agreed! (With the end part especially!)
No question – Philip Quast. He out sings and out acts Russell Crowe just standing in front of a microphone in a concert setting.
If not Philip Quast, I would love to see Hadley Fraser as Javert.
Norm. Lewis. No question about it.
Jackman with Brian Stokes Mitchell as ValJean
To have a big name, i think any of the following:
Gerard Butler- proven singer/actor
Viggo Mortenson- would have done an incredible acting job as well…and CAN sing.
And get ready for this- Bruce Willis (maybe)
They needed a big name screen actor, and Bruce has a band. He maybe could have done it justice.
Earl Carpenter. YAYYY
Norm Lewis. He was just great on the 25th Anniversary Concert. A great baritone voice and gave the role of Javert such authority and stature.
My favorite stage Javert has been Norm Lewis, but I agree with what was previously said: blockbuster movies, unlike Broadway shows, can unfortunately not be colorblind cast. Russell Crowe did a good job portraying Javert as in the novel, but in the musical, Javert has a more powerful stage presence. His voice is very like a hammer; Crowe’s is more like a hacksaw (I realize that it’s an odd analogy, but if you listen to Lewis and Crowe with that in mind, you’ll see what I mean). But anyway, returning to the topic at hand, I think that if not Lewis, Gerard Butler would have been excellent in the role.
Now, the larger issue: why the devil was Eddie Redmayne chosen as Marius?!
I agree with you: if we couldn’t have had Lewis, Gerald Butler would have been a good choice: he has this kind of “grudgy voice” I think would have given a new perspective to the character of Javert. But, sadly, we’ll never know, right?
Well, Redmayne was okay for me; no one can even try to replace Michael Ball in my heart, but I didn’t fin him terrible, but actually pretty good.
Seriously, the one who completely ruined the whole experience for me, was Russell Crowe. You can’t sing Javert’s suicide song without taking the last high note. You can’t. He butchered it.
Norm Lewis for me too – how he plays Javer, non one can. He’s absolutely my favourite, and I can’t love him more for the part.
Not sure. I liked Russell Crowe.
But, if he’s going to be changed anyway, someone with a similar voice. Harsh and not necessarily theatrical.
I’m just coming out and saying it, Gerard Butler would have been my first choice, but having seen it, Crowe’s fine. I liked it. Don’t diss the Crowe.
I’m sorry, I completely disagree! Russell played the role exceptionally well, so well he’s become my new favourite, and it takes a lot to beat Earl Carpenter!
Seconded. I thought Crowe’s portrayal was excellent, even if different than what has come to be expected from the role.
Alan Rickman would have been amazing! He has that great demeaning character and barritone voice. And even if the voice wasn’t amazing the incredible acting wouldn’ve made up for it! (And hey, he could’ve don the jump too- he did it in Die Hard!)
I actually liked Russell Crowe.
But, if not him, then it should have been Alan Rickman. And, he can sing (Sweeney Todd).
I actually liked russell crowe playing the role of javert. When he sang Stars, I really liked his voice for a strange reason.
Am I the only one that feels this way?
:-/
fraid so. You must never have heard Norm Lewis sing it. I felt at the end Crowe should have sang, “this I swear by the stars–I guess.”
hahaha indeed!!
Putting aside the fact that Crowe does not have an specially strong voice, his acting felt… lukewarm to me. Like: I am constantly flirting with death because I hate my life and my job but I am not even passionate enough to want to suicide… yet; so, whatever, maybe I will catch Valjean next time, I, like, promise it, totally.
I’d jump excitedly and sat QUAST PLEASE!!! but now that you guys mention Alan Rickman he would have been a great choice too, more famous bigger name, can sing, and more expressive.
I really can’t figure what happened with Crowe, it is like he tried to portray a Javert with autism, he is like a robot.
Ummm Norm Lewis! But let’s be real, they weren’t looking for anybody black… But Jeremy Irons would have killed – I mean he MURDERED “Be prepared” and the role of Scar. That would’ve been genius!
Philip Quast. Norm Lewis is good, but still QUAST.
Philip Quast would have been fantastic!! I can listen to his performances of Javert forever:)
Alan Rickman would have been larger than life as Javert!
I’ve taught about it and listened to various performers in the role of Javert since my last reply to this post. I stand corrected. I had never heard Hadley Fraser for the part, and he absolutely blew me away.
Seriously, he would have made an excellent choice and the most brilliant Javert ever. It still bothers me that we didn’t have a decent one when they could have asked any one of the performers we’re all proposing.
thought*
Russel Crowe.
Philip Quast! BEST JAVERT 4 ME
While I loved going to see this movie, I felt that Russel Crowe’s singing, while not necessarily that bad, was still devoid of the obsessive yet dignified character Javert was. And while I have to respect the new acting approaches to this role (I still think that pin on Gavroche scene was incredible), I still feel like this role warranted a more aggressive take.
That’s why I personally feel Ralph Fiennes would’ve owned this role. Aside from his expertise playing dark characters, he has a very nice vocal quality, he’s had some musical experience, and he’s one of those brilliant Brits who just fully commits. This is the role I always saw him playing: principled, hateful, and tormented by his model of justice.
But again, my personal taste doesn’t mean a film isn’t good on its own, it’s just that some parts of it I liked better than others.
Quast (favorite) or Gerard Butler.
I think that Russell was great as Javert! Just my opinion
I think that Russell has a great voice, my favorite out of the cast, I thought that he made a perfect Javert.