Eddie Redmayne Joins Adele in 'Oliver!' Movie Musical? Insiders Reveal Fagin Is His Dream Role
"Fantastic Beast" actor Eddie Redmayne is reportedly in talks to star in the planned "Oliver!" musical for the big screen. He'll join Adele in what would be her first movie.
Insiders told The Sun that Redmayne, who wowed viewers with his singing prowess in the big screen version of "Les Miserable" with Hugh Jackman in 2012, is being eyed for the role of Fagin. In the musical's source material, Charles Dicken's "Oliver Twist," the character is a known criminal who trains a group of orphaned children to pick pockets and steal.
"It's a role that has been close to him since he was a child so this is a great opportunity and he's keen," the insider said of Redmayne, who was in a stage production of "Oliver!" at 10-years-old.
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The Oscar-winning actor talked about his experience on the stage play during an appearance on "The Graham Norton" show. He also performed the "Oliver!" dance he remembered as a child.
If Redmayne signs on, then he'll be working alongside Adele. The Grammy winner is also in talks to star as the gang member Nancy in "Oliver!" and this would mark her big screen debut.
Reps for both Redmayne and Adele, however, have not commented on these casting negotiations as of press time.
Musical legend Cameron Mackintosh is behind the said project as his company owns the rights to Dickens' work for stage and film. Mackintosh has been trying to get the movie off the ground since 2015 with director Toby Haynes.
"Oliver!" was a smashing hit when it debuted on West End in the 1960's. Over the years, the musical would play at various stages with the likes of seasoned actors like Rowan Atkinson and Jonathan Pryce playing Fagin.
In 1968, Carol Reed and Ron Moody starred in the movie version of "Oliver" with an 8-year-old Mark Lester in the titular role. The film won Best Picture at the Oscars.
