Studiocanal has unveiled the teaser for “Les Misérables,” Fred Cavayé’s anticipated adaptation of Victor Hugo’s 1862 classic novel, offering a first look at a sweeping take on one of France’s most enduring literary works.
The teaser also offers glimpses of Vincent Lindon as Jean Valjean, the ex-convict who rebuilds his life as a benevolent industrialist, and Tahar Rahim as Inspector Javert, Valjean’s relentless nemesis. The prestigious cast is completed by Camille Cottin (“Call My Agent!”), Benjamin Lavernhe (“The Marching Band”) and Noémie Merlant (“Lee”), among others.
The footage opens with fortress-like coastal imagery before moving into large-scale period sets, suggesting the film will have the epic scope of Hugo’s story while grounding it in a raw visual language.
Cavayé, who’s best known for muscular thrillers such as “Anything for Her” and “Point Blank,” is bringing a more grounded, visceral sensibility to this new adaptation, emphasizing moral torment and social upheaval, with images of poverty, punishment and revolution.
In interview with Variety during the last edition of the Marrakech Film Festival, Tahar Rahim likened this new take on “Les Miserables” to “The Fugitive.”
“Les Misérables” has already presold in major markets around the world, underscoring the enduring global appeal of Hugo’s novel and the international interest surrounding Studiocanal’s prestige production.
Studiocanal’s sales team, led by Chloé Marquet, predicted that “Les Misérables” will “benefit from the very well established audience of the musical while offering a new, realistic interpretation, with a stellar French cast that is attractive for international audiences.”
The film will be released in France on Oct. 14 and is already positioned as one of the year’s major cinema events.
