Tom Hooper Could Direct The FREDDIE MERCURY BIOPIC Starring Sacha Baron Cohen

Deadline is reporting that Tom Hooper (King's Speech, Les Miserables) could be interested in helming the untitled dramatic biopic based on the life of Queen frontman Freddie Mercury. Sacha Baron Cohen is attached to play the iconic rock singer who tragically died of AIDS with a script from Peter Morgan (Last King of Scotland, The Queen, Frost/Nixon). Tom and Sacha recently worked together on the profitable musical Les Miserables).

Tom Hooper Open To Talking With Producers For BOND 24?

Les Miserables might have critics split but it's making a mint which is hard for a musical these days. Director Tom Hooper (King's Speech) spoke with Collider who brought up if he'd be willing to direct the next Bond film. Hooper says it would be an "honor" to be considered for the job. Nothing says he's been contacted but it wouldn't be hard to imagine him end up a candidate.

"I would certainly be willing to talk about it; the ten year old in me would think there’s probably no higher honor than talking about that."

"I’d always take their phone call, they’re very lovely people."

After the extremely successful move to hire Oscar winning director Sam Mendes to helm Skyfall. I assume the Bond producers will be looking to hire another Oscar caliber director for future films like Hooper. Learning that a high quality visionary can deliver the goods and massive box office numbers. Skyfall is the highest grossing Bond film ever and could change the creative direction for future Bond films. The movie has earned $980 million and will likely finish it's run around a billion dollars. The 24th installment is currently being worked out by Sam Mendes and writer John Logan with Daniel Craig back as 007. Mendes hasn't committed to directing the next one but will likely play a role in it's script development and become a producer as well.

New UK Trailer For LES MISERABLES

Poster For LES MISERABLES

Amanda Seyfried Offered Cosette Role In Les Miserables

Twitch reports that Amanda Seyfried has been offered the role of Cosette in Tom Hooper's (King's Speech) Les Miserables. The high profiled musical already boasts an impressive cast that includes Hugh Jackman, Russell Crowe, Anne Hathaway, Helena Bonham Carter and Sacha Baron Cohen. Seyfried seems like a decent choice as she was apart of the successful Mama Mia! film. A majority of the casting decisions seem like Hooper is on roll so far. 

Taylor Swift has been offered the role of Eponine. Scarlett Johansson had been linked for the role and seemed an inspired casting choice since she can sing as well as she can act. While Swift is still learning the craft of acting and could feel out of place alongside these vets and heavyweights. Either way I'm interested in the film which is saying a lot as I'm not a big fan of musicals. Les Miserables will be released on December 7th of this year.

Scarlett Johansson Could Join Les Miserables

NewYorkPost is reporting that a few actresses are now testing for roles (Cossette and Eponine) in Tom Hoopers' (King's Speech) Les Miserables. The actresses include Taylor Swift, Lea Michele, Scarlett Johansson and Evan Rachel Wood. The first two seem like names to keep the studio happy but won't ultimately get the parts.

The cast already features Hugh Jackman is Jean Valjean, Russell Crowe is Inspector Javert, Anne Hathaway is playing Fantine (Cossette's desperately poor mother) and Eddie Redmayne is Marius (Cossette's love and French revoutionary). Geoffrey Rush who played Javert in the 90's film is rumored for the role of Monsieur Thenardier.

I haven't been too interested in the project up to this point but I feel if they do end up getting Scarlett in there I might have to check it out. That being said if it's an awards bait musical they should be getting actors who can sing, not singers who could act.