Early Oscar buzz for Hugh Jackman for Les Miserables

OSCAR buzz is already surrounding Hugh Jackman's latest movie role.

Jackman stars opposite friend and fellow Aussie Russell Crowe in the movie adaptation of Les Miserables.

The world-first media screenings of the film, which was only finished by director Tom Hooper in London last Sunday and hand-delivered to Sydney, were held over the weekend.

Jackman introduced the film to an invite-only crowd at Hoyts Cinemas in the Moore Park Entertainment Quarter yesterday, calling the first film adaptation in Les Miserables' 27-year history as a "labour of love".

"I don't think I've ever worked harder," he said, sporting a closely-shaved beard after recently wrapping filming on Wolverine.

"I've done this many times in my life but I've never felt prouder as an actor to do it."

Talking to media yesterday after the screening, Jackman played down the early Oscar buzz but said he hoped the film would be recognised by the industry.

As well as boasting an all-star cast including Anne Hathaway as Fantine, Crowe as Javert, Amanda Seyfried as Cosette, Eddie Redmayne as Marius and Helena Bonham Carter and Sacha Baron Cohen as inn-keepers  Misieur and Madam Thénardier, the film features groundbreaking technology which allowed the actors to sing live in their scenes rather than miming to a pre-recorded track.

Hathaway is also a strong Oscar contender for her powerful performance as Fantine, who sings the iconic song I Dreamed a Dream.

Les Miserables will be released on Boxing Day.