The King’s Speech helmer Tom Hooper to direct Les Mis

The Oscar-winning director of The King’s Speech, Tom Hooper, is in negotiations to helm an adaptation of the musical Les Miserables.

According to Variety, Hooper would direct the project for Universal.

Bill Nicholson scripted the project, based not upon Victor Hugo’s 1862 novel but rather the 1980 musical adaptation.

Les Mis takes place in 19th century France, and follows a number of characters over the course of two decades, culminating in the Paris Uprising of 1832.

There were rumours back in February that Hooper was tossing up between Les Mis and a new project from King’s Speech scripter Daid Seidler, The Lady Who Went Too Far. He was also, weirdly, offered the opportunity to direct Iron Man 3, which he turned down.

Discuss: Are you happy to see Hooper work on another period piece, or should he start branching out?