In days of social unrest in early 19th-century France, Marius and his buddies protest the government, build barricades and face down bullets. Marius also falls in love with Cosette, whose guardian is the fugitive Jean Valjean (played by Tony Award winner Hugh Jackman, who is currently playing a concert engagement called Back on Broadway at the Broadhurst Theatre). As previously reported, Anne Hathaway will play Fantine, Cosette's mother. Casting has not been announced for the role of Cosette.

Marius' songs in the hit international stage musical based on the Victor Hugo novel are "A Heart Full of Love," "Empty Chairs at Empty Tables" and participation in "A Little Fall of Rain," "One Day More" and "Do You Hear the People Sing?"

Previously confirmed for the picture, to be directed by Oscar winner Tom Hooper, are Academy Award winner Russell Crowe as Inspector Javert, who pursues Valjean over the years.

The Les Miz film, from Universal and Working Title, will be released Dec. 7, 2012, according to Universal. William Nicholson ("Gladiator," "Nell," "Shadowlands") is writing the screenplay. 

Redmayne stars in the Donmar Warehouse production of Richard II, directed by Red director Michael Grandage, starting Dec. 1 in London. He was a 2010 Tony winner as Best Featured Actor in a Play, for Red, in a role he created at the Donmar. No other casting for the movie "Les Miserables" has been announced, although Helena Bonham Carter and Geoffrey Rush have been mentioned as possible candidates for the roles of the Thenardiers.

Mackintosh, the stage musical's producer, is also the film's producing partner. He said in a Sept. 8 statement: "Even though I have dreamt about making the film of Les Miserables for over 25 years, I could never have imagined that we would end up with the dream director Tom Hooper, and the dream cast of Hugh Jackman and Russell Crowe as the two great protagonists Jean Valjean and Javert. Not only were they born to play these roles vocally, but they thrillingly inhabit this great score. Producing this film with Eric Fellner, Working Title and Universal Pictures is indeed a dream come true and I can't wait to hear the people sing at my local Cineplex."

In the London, Broadway and international hit musical, Javert is the policeman who doggedly pursues Valjean, a petty thief who changes his fortunes, over several decades in socially turbulent times in early 1800s France.

Director Hooper won the Academy Award for his direction of the Oscar-winning Best Picture "The King's Speech."

The film is drawn from the Claude-Michel Schonberg-Alain Boublil musical, which has English lyrics by Herbert Kretzmer. "I Dreamed a Dream," "A Heart Full of Love," "Do You Hear the People Sing?," "Empty Chairs at Empty Tables," "Bring Him Home," "Stars" and "Master of the House" are among some its famous musical numbers.

The original London production continues in the West End. An American touring production of the revised 25th anniversary version of the show is now traveling the country. A separate Canadian production will be spawned in Toronto in 2012.

The stage musical is by Boublil (book), Schönberg (book and music) and Herbert Kretzmer (lyrics).

Hooper's film credit before the Oscar-winning "The King's Speech" was "The Damned United," about an English football coach. He was also director of the acclaimed miniseries "John Adams."

Hathaway played Viola in The Public Theater's Shakespeare in the Park production of Twelfth Night in 2009. Her film credits include the upcoming Batman picture "The Dark Knight Rises" (as Catwoman), plus "The Princess Diaries" and its sequel, "The Devil Wears Prada," "One Day," "Rachel Getting Married" (for which she was nominated for an Oscar), "Bride Wars," "Love and Other Drugs," "Alice in Wonderland" and more.

Jackman, who was seen on screen in "X-Men Origins: Wolverine," is also known for his film roles in the "X-Men" trilogy, "Someone Like You," "Swordfish," "Kate and Leopold," "Van Helsing" and the recent "The Fountain" and "Happy Feet" (in voice). His stage credits also include Trevor Nunn's staging of Oklahoma! at Britian's National Theatre and award-winning work in productions of Sunset Boulevard and Beauty and the Beast in his homeland, Australia.

Russell Crowe's films include "Gladiator" (for which he won the Academy Award), "A Beautiful Mind," "L.A. Confidential," "Master and Commander," "Robin Hood," "State of Play," "Body of Lies," "The Insider," "The Sum of Us" and more.