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.)

2011 ACADEMY AWARDS RECAP

Natalie Portman at the 83rd Academy Awards

The 83rd Academy Awards held at Kodak Theatre this evening, were marred most perhaps by predictability. As Award after Award was handed-out this evening, it became more and more apparent that there were not going to be any real surprises in the most anticipated categories.   

Colin Firth as Actor in a Leading Role, yes - saw it a mile away.  Christian Bale and Melissa Leo, giving The Fighter an Oscar double in the Actor and Actress in a Supporting Role categories respectively - yes.  Aaron Sorkin for Adapted Screenplay with The Social Network - uh-huh.  Inception in the technical categories: Sound Editing, Visual Effects, Editing, Sound Mixing - yup.

The biggest surprise in my opinion was The King's Speech Director Tom Hooper nabbing the Award for Directing over The Social Network's David Fincher, a telling sign that the former would go on to win the coveted Best Picture Award.  Another telling sign was that Colin Firth's now-famous Speech in that Film was played over a Montage of all the Best Picture Nominees prior to the Award being announced.  The Weinstein Brothers sure know how to win an Oscar, that much I'll say.