Film News: Samantha Barks, Not Taylor Swift, Joining ‘Les Miserables’ Cast

CHICAGO – Musical and film fans that dislike Taylor Swift just dodged a bullet this morning. Universal confirmed earlier today that British actress/singer Samantha Barks would be taking up the role of Eponine in the film adaptation of the award winning musical “Les Miserables,” coming to theaters later this year.

Directed by last year’s Best Director Academy Award Winner Tom Hooper (“The King’s Speech”), “Les Miserables” is packed with talent. The current cast list includes Hugh Jackman, Russell Crowe, Anne Hathaway, Helena Bonham Carter, Sacha Baron Cohen, and Amanda Seyfried. Barks won the role of Eponine after weeks of rumors that Swift would be playing the role.

Eponine becomes a central character to the “Les Miserables” story and sings, perhaps, the most beautiful song of the entire musical. Many fans are aware of “I Dreamed a Dream” (mostly because of “Britain’s Got Talent” contestant Susan Boyle), but Eponine’s “On My Own” is an emotional and beautiful song that comes deep in the second act of the story.

While Swift fans may be upset at this news, this could be a fantastic casting decision. Just check out a video of Barks singing “On My Own” from the 25th anniversary performance of “Les Miserables” in London:

[14]	By TIM MARTENS [15] Staff Writer HollywoodChicago.com tim@hollywoodchicago.com [14]