Stage Vet Samantha Barks Cast As Éponine In Tom Hooper’s ‘Les Miserables’; Newcomer George Blagden Joins As Grantaire
After months of speculation, rumors, and reports,Tom Hooper’sLes Misérableshas finally found its Éponine. ProducerCameron Mackintoshhas just announced that 21-year-old stage vetSamantha Barkshas landed the role. Barks is a newcomer when it comes to film and television, but has racked up plenty of experience in the theater — including a stint playing Éponine in a London production ofLes Misérables.
Meanwhile, another fresh face,George Blagden, has also boarded the project, in the part of cynical young revolutionary Grantaire. Blagden and Barks join a high-profile cast that includesRussell Crowe,Hugh Jackman,Anne Hathaway,Eddie Redmayne,Amanda Seyfried,Sacha Baron Cohen,Helena Bonham Carter, andAaron Tveit. Read more after the jump.
Like Barks, Blagden is a stage actor who’s new to the screen. In fact, he’ll be making his movie debut in March withWrath of the Titans. He recently wrapped John Huddles’The Philosophers, which also stars Freddie Stroma, Bonnie Wright, James D’Arcy, and Daryl Sabara.
Based on the hugely successful Broadway musical andVictor Hugo’s classic novel,Les Misérablescenters around Valjean (Jackman), an ex-con seeking to redeem himself as revolution rages in 19th century France. Éponine starts out as the pampered daughter of the Thénardiers (Cohen and Carter), who mistreat their charge Cosette (Seyfried), but the two girls find their luck changing when Valjean takes Cosette under his wing and the Thénardiers fall into poverty. As a young woman, Éponine falls for her friend Marius (Redmayne), but he only has eyes for Cosette. The love triangle spurs Éponine to express her feelings in one of the show’s best-loved numbers, “On My Own.”
Along with Marius, Grantaire is a member of the student revolutionary group led by Enjolras (Tveit).
Hooper’s movie is aiming for a March start, with a targeted release date ofDecember 7, 2012.
[Sources:VarietyandDeadline]
