Hugh Jackman is earning Oscar buzz for Les Miserables , but the Australian actor laughs off the suggestion that he could take home Hollywood gold.
After taking on the role of Jean Valjean in the 2012 film adaptation of the popular stage musical, early reviews have dropped Jackman’s name for a potential nod from the Academy, reports The Belfast Telegraph . Jackman has already earned Golden Globe and Screen Actors Guild Award nominations, but winning an Oscar is a bit too far over the line in his mind.
“My son’s name is Oscar. So whenever I first hear it I go – what? What’s he done?” he joked to FOX 411 .
He batted off the suggestion and humbly said that he just hopes audiences and critics will enjoy Les Miserables .
“I think that movie musicals are rarely made. They’re a big risk. Particularly big movie musicals this like. This is not a cheap undertaking. So, a lot of risks were taken. If the movie gets the recognition, I’ll be so happy for all those that took the risk and mainly also a lover of musical theatre that perhaps there will be more of them.”
Director Tom Hooper was also adamant that all of the actors in the film — including Russell Crowe, Anne Hathaway, and Amanda Seyfried — sing their parts live instead of struggling to lip-sync. Jackman appreciated this diversion from Hollywood norm and felt that it helped him connect to Valjean better.
“[Live singing] had never been done before, but I thought it was an opportunity as an actor that I so wanted because it’s all about being present, about being in the moment, about being spontaneous. And all those emotions, I don’t know how you can recreate them in a lip syncing situation,” he explained.
Make sure you come back to let us know what you thought of Les Miserables and whether or not you think Hugh Jackman deserves the Oscar!
