Old Royal Naval College, Greenwich (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

Luvvies and revolutionaries are preparing to man the barricades at The Old Royal Naval College (ORNC) at Greenwich where scenes from the forthcoming blockbuster film Les Miserables are due to be shot early in April.

The ORNC’s Lower Grand Square, which is flanked by the King Charles and Queen Anne Courts, is being mocked up as an 1830s Parisian square for the famous barricades scene in which students mount a revolt against the government.

Due for release at the end of this year, Les Miserables stars Hugh Jackman as convict and parole violator Jean Valjean and Russell Crowe as his merciless pursuer Inspector Javert.

Lower Grand Square has hosted scenes from a number of famous films including Patriot Games starring Harrison Ford, The Iron Lady with Meryl Streep as Maggie Thatcher and Pirates of the Caribbean – On Stranger Tides starring Johnny Depp.

If Les Miserables film director Tom Hooper or producer Cameron Mackintosh want any student extras – revolting or otherwise – there are usually several hundred on site as the ORNC’s four beautiful baroque courts are leased to the University of Greenwich and Trinity College of Music.

Find out more about the world of cinematic make-believe by accompanying Footprints of London guide Neil Sinclair on Sunday 13th May when he leads a guided walk through cinematic history in Greenwich.

The 90 minute walk On Location in Greenwich retraces the steps of the many stars who have hit their marks during the shooting of major feature films at this fascinating world maritime heritage site.