Actor Eddie Redmayne has joined the cast of Les Miserables for Universal Pictures and director Tom Hooper. The actor will portray Marius in the musical, alongside Hugh Jackman, Russell Crowe, and Anne Hathaway.

The project is based on Victor Hugo's novel, which was turned into an award-winning Broadway musical. The story is set in the 19th Century and revolves around Jean Valjean (Hugh Jackman), who must carry a yellow passport branding him as an ex-convict after being released from a 19-year prison sentence. Russell Crowe portrays Inspector Valvert, a policeman who keeps pursuing Jean Valjean, even though he is a free man. Anne Hathaway plays the female lead, Fantine.

Tom Hooper is directing Les Miserables from a screenplay by William Nicholson. It isn't known when production will start on Les Miserables.