"Les Miserables" Movie Casting News

Advertisement from 1991 that appeared in entertainment trade papers
such as Variety announcing the movie version of 'Les Miserables'.
Alan Parker, who went on to direct the movie version of "Evita" was set
to direct until Bruce Beresford ("Driving Miss Daisy") replaced him.
The movie project was stuck in development and eventually abandoned.

The final main roles in the big screen adaption of the hit musical 'Les Miserables' have fallen into place with the final piece being the casting of the coveted role of Eponine. Samantha Banks who played the role in London's West End and in the 25th Anniversary Concert is reported to have beat out high-profile names including Scarlett Johansson, Lea Michele, Evan Rachel Wood and Taylor Swift. It appears with this bit of casting few are arguing the choices for the film's cast as we all finally look forward to this screen adaptation after more than 25 years since the stage musical premiered in London in 1985.

Previously confirmed in the cast:
Hugh Jackman as Jean Valjean
Russell Crowe as Inspector Javert
Anne Hathaway as Fantine
Amanda Seyfried ("Mamma Mia") as Cosette
Eddie Redmayne ("My Week With Marilyn", 'Red' Broadway play) as Marius
Aaron Tveit ("Gossip Girl", 'Catch Me If You Can' Broadway musical) as Enjolras
Sacha Baron Cohen as Monsier Thenardier
Helena Bonham Caarter as Madame Thenardier

The cast will also include Colm Wilkinson, the original stage Valjean, as the Bishop of Digne and Frances Rufelle, the original stage Eponine, who will play a prostitute. Other London stage actors to appear in the film include Kerry Ellis, Linzi Hately, Bertie Carvel and Alistair Brammer.

Click HERE to for the Daily Mail article about the surprising onstage announcement of Banks wining the role of Eponine.

Producer Cameron Mackintosh surprises Samantha Banks on the 'Oliver'
UK Tour to announce that Banks has won the role of Eponine in the
'Les Miserables' film. (image: BBC/Daily Mail)

Samantha Banks and Frances Rufelle, original stage Eponine, at the
25th Anniversary 'Les Miserables' concert.
(image: Alan Davidson/Daily Mail)