Just saw "My Week with Marilyn" earlier tonight, and was really impressed with Redmayne. Held his own amongst a LOT of scenery chewing, and it was also the first time I found him pretty attractive.
Always found him kinda "Malachai" (Children of the Corn) looking in past roles.
I saw "My Week with Marilyn" last night as well, and all I could think the whole time was how perfect he'd be as Marius if he could sing it (and, now that I've caught up with this thread, he clearly can). I also don't understand the logic that Marius must (or even should) be a heartthrob. He should be a young student (and when he said he was 23 in "Marilyn", I never doubted it) who sees a girl on the street, falls in love with her, and rather obsessively tries to find her. I would encourage anyone doubting this casting to go see "Marilyn" and watch how Redmayne excels at longing romantic looks, which comprises a decent amount of the characterization Marius has to embody. Plus, I thought it was a terrific film.
"Art, in itself, is an attempt to bring order out of chaos."-Stephen Sondheim
He's at the Donmar Warehouse through Feb. 2 in Richard II. I guess after that is rehearsals? I saw a recent tweet that director Tom Hooper was in the audience. Hooper was also in the audience at Hugh's show when he was recently in NY (Hugh pointed him out, as he also pointed out Anne Hathaway when she attended his show).
Eddie has been nominated for the BAFTA "Rising Star" award and he was asked about Les Mis in this video - he mentions that Amanda Seyfried is playing Cosette ("my girlfriend") and Helena B-C so I guess that confirms her also.
>>"I totally had to serenade [the film's director] Tom Hooper and Nina Gold, the casting director, and Cameron Mackintosh, who's one of the producers," Redmayne said.
I really wish they would bring his Richard II over to New York. The photos look incredible. But I know that with Les Mis, that won't happen...unless they bring it over after they film Les Mis.
More interesting tidbits from Eddie - singing lessons and "Empty Chairs.."
>>>On his approach to singing the solo Empty Chairs at Empty Tables, Redmayne said: "You have to forget all the versions you've heard and deconstruct the song and try to find your own way through it. We'll have to wait and see whether it works or not."<<< More from Eddie
He added: "So the idea is that the piano will play and we'll sing live - they've tested it all and I think it will be good."
This is interesting. What about the other instruments? And do all the songs have to be good in 1 take? Because the tempo will change all the time. How on earth are they going to edit this?
You mean the lovely synthesizers? Can't have Les Miz without those!
A really great example of how the live singing to film works (and works very well) is Taymor's Across the Universe. I think for this movie the music was pumped in prerecorded for the singers. I'm not sure how it would work with a live band, it's seems insane to sound check an orchestra for all those locals. Maybe they are using few instruments and the rest will be mixed in later.
The good news is they are recording the singing live.