Hugh Jackman has admitted that he is both excited and intimidated at taking on the role of Jean Valjean in Les Miserables.
The actor is set to lead an all star cast as Oscar winning director Tom Hooper adapts the theatre show for the big screen.
Russell Crowe is set to play Inspector Javert while Anne Hathaway and Geoffrey Rush have also been linked to the movie.
Speaking to Collider the actor said: "It’s intimidating, and that’s the fun of it. I feel, you have to be a little bit intimidated or a little bit nervous. The percentage is probably 80/20.
"If 80% of you is really, really confident you’re going to nail it, and 20% of you is genuinely, really not so sure, that’s the kind of percentage you need to push yourself on, to do better than you’ve ever before. If it’s 100%, then I feel the audience can feel it.
"I feel like Jean Valjean is one the great literary figures in musical theatre. It’s one of the most famous characters of all time. Whoever is playing it, it should be them at their best, you know?
"That’s why I’m singing everyday and have been for awhile. And, that’s why I auditioned for the part.
"I rang Tom Hooper and I said, 'Tom, I’m coming in and I’m auditioning for you.' He said, 'Well, I actually haven’t made my deal yet.'
I said, 'I don’t care. I’m coming in now.' That audition was three hours. This was not one where I was going to sit back and wait to see if it came to me or not. I chased it."
Jackman will return to the big screen next month with Real Steel and Butter is also in the pipeline.
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