By Thomas Leupp, Hollywood.com Staff

With Hugh Jackman officially on board, Universal's adaptation of the stage musical Les Miserables is coming together quickly. THR has several cast additions to report, the most significant of which is Russell Crowe. The pugilistic Oscar winner is in talks to play Javert, the police inspector who will stop at nothing to capture and imprison the fugitive Jean Valjean (Jackman). Also set to join the cast of are Geoffrey Rush and Helena Bonham Carter, both of whom worked with Les Mis director Tom Hooper on his previous film, The King's Speech. Rush and Carter will play the Thenardiers, greedy innkeepers whose shifty business practices are chronicled in the comical duet ""Master of the House.""

Universal today also announced a release date for Les Miserables: December 7, 2012.

Source: THR

While Jackman is no Colm Wilkinson, he is no stranger to musical theatre, having starred in The Boy From Oz on Broadway. Click on the image below to check out his gallery.