ANNE HATHAWAY AT THE OSCARS: "THE DARK KNIGHT RISES" VS. "LES MISERABLES"

Anne Hathaway as Fantine in Les Miserables and Catwoman in The Dark Knight Rises

We're half-way through 2012 as a year of Film and although I have yet to be supremely-wowed yet by any performances to-date, we cannot deny that this is Anne Hathaway's year.  In just a few months' time, she may well be an Oscar Winner in the category of Supporting Actress with two well-placed gigs which with the correct campaigning will have her v. visible on the radars of Academy Voters.

Already having received universal praise for her performance as Selina Kyle/Catwoman in Warner Bros.' The Dark Knight Rises from Vanity Fair to President Obama, perhaps Hathaway's biggest shot is Tom Hooper's Les Miserables, due for a release mid-December via Universal Pictures?  The Studio appears to be confident enough in the 29-year-old Actress, using her highly emotive rendition of I Dream a Dream in the first cut of the Musical's Trailer, placing her front and center. It is impossible not to shiver hearing the tears in her voice.

The worst case scenario however for any Actor/Actress with two strong performances in one given year always is the Split Vote, which complicates matters slightly for Hathaway in the nomination process with two competing Studios campaigning for her. Ultimately though, it is difficult to foresee her being overlooked even with Voters being divided.

An Actor/Actress ultimately can receive only one nomination per category at the Oscars. Ask Kate Winslet for that matter who in the 2008-2009 Awards Season faced the dilemma of two Oscar-worthy performances in both The Reader and Revolutionary Road.  Her work in The Reader however ultimately prevailed with her being campaigned for the former and going on to win Best Actress.

(Photo credit: Universal Pictures/Warner Bros.)

SAMANTHA BANKS CAST AS EPONINE IN "LES MISÉRABLES" MOVIE

Samantha Barks

Although Taylor Swift was considered for the coveted role of Eponine in Tom Hooper's Les Misérables, alas it is 21-year-old British Actress Samantha Barks who will be taking on the role. To get a glimpse of her work, you can see her play Eponine in Les Misérables in Concert: The 25th Anniversary, available on DVD.  Barks has been celebrating on Twitter telling her Fans, "Most incredible moment of my life!!!! X".

Other Actress considered for the role included Scarlett Johansson, Lea Michele and Evan Rachel Wood. Barks will be joining a star-studded Cast which already includes Hugh Jackman, Anne Hathaway, Helena Bonham Carter, Russell Crowe, Sacha Baron Cohen, Eddie Redmayne and more.

(Photo credit: Universal Pictures)

AMANDA SEYFRIED & TAYLOR SWIFT OFFERED ROLES IN TOM HOOPER'S "LES MISÉRABLES"

Taylor Swift in Toronto - July 2011

As if its Cast couldn't get any better, two more marquee names have been added to the Cast of Tom Hooper's (The King's Speech) Les Misérables, as reported by Twitch.

Amanda Seyfried who currently is in Los Angeles filming Lovelace - Pornstar Linda Lovelace's Biopic - has just been offered yet another Plum Role as Cosette in this Film Adaptation of the Victor Hugo Novel and internationally-acclaimed Stage Musical. Seyfried in addition to being a burgeoning star of Film, is a classically-trained Vocalist. It's hard to believe this is the same Girl who filmed Mean Girls in Toronto eight years ago. Her Agent truly deserves a raise.

If Seyfried's casting isn't enough to excite you, Les Misérables' Box Office fate has just been sealed by its offer to cast Country Pop Megastar Taylor Swift as a riches-to-rags Éponine, raised together with Cosette; both Girls long for Marius (Eddie Redmayne). Others up for the coveted Role of Éponine included: Lea Michele, Evan Rachel Wood and Scarlett Johansson. Although not quite the Actress as some of those others, it is understandable why Swift was chosen based on her arena-filling Fan Base.

To re-cap, these are the stellar Principal Cast members so far in Les Misérables:

ANNE HATHAWAY JOINS HUGH JACKMAN IN "LES MISÉRABLES"

Hugh Jackman in Toronto - July 2011

In what's shaping up to be a stellar Cast for the upcoming Musical Film Adaptation ofLes Misérables, Anne Hathaway has just been confirmed to play the coveted role of Fantine, as reported by Variety.  Hathaway's career just seems to be getting sweeter being set also to appear in upcoming The Dark Knight Rises as Catwoman next July.  Other Actresses in the running for the role of Fantine include Rebecca Hall and Amy Adams.

Set in 19th-Century France, Hugh Jackman will be taking on the Lead Role of Jean Valjean, a Prisoner on Parole for stealing bread, seeking redemption, while also evading the attentions of Inspector Javert. 

Although Russell Crowe (as Javert), Geoffrey Rush and Helena Bonham Carter also are linked to the Project, there still is no word yet on who will be playing the important roles of  Cosette and Marius (taken-on recently Nick Jonas in London). Director Tom Hooper, known best for The King's Speech will be helming the Musical.

Universal Pictures will be releasing Les Misérables in the U.S., December 2012.


(Photo credit: Mr. Will-W.)