Hugh Jackman on Why Singing the New Les Miz Tune 'Suddenly' is Among the 'Great Honors' of His Life

Les Misérables fans will finally have the chance to hear iconic anthems like “One Day More” and “I Dreamed a Dream” performed on the big screen come December 25, but the hotly anticipated movie adaptation will also feature a tune unfamiliar to theatergoers. Composers Claude-Michel Schonberg and Alan Boublil penned “Suddenly,” an original song for the movie, which appears right after Jean Valjean (Hugh Jackman) rescues Young Cosette (Isabelle Allen) from the devious Thenardiers.

“I’ll count it as one of the great honors of my life to have these two incredible composers write a song with my voice in mind,” Jackman said of the tune at a recent press conference for the movie.

Director Tom Hooper had the idea to include a new song for the film, realizing a key scene would play stronger if a song was included. “Victor Hugo talks about two lightning bolts of realization for Jean Valjean,” Jackman said, referencing the original Les Miz novel. “One is of virtue when he meets the bishop, and one is of love when he meets Cosette. It describes how for the first time in this 51-year-old man’s life he experiences love. Tom said, ‘This is one of the most incredible dramatic moments ever and we don’t have a song for that?’”

The ballad, which features undertones of “Who Am I”, forces Valjean to accept his new responsibilities and path in life. “He doesn’t just walk away with Cosette. He’s terrified and full of love and anxiety like every parent,” said Jackman, who himself is a father of two. “I’ll never forget first singing it. I felt like I’d been singing it my whole life.”

Clips of "Suddenly" have yet to be released, but preview Jackman tackling "Who Am I" below!