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'Glee' Star Lea Michele, Taylor Swift & More Up for 'Les Miserables'

by Ethan Anderton
November 30, 2011
Source: NY Post

With a stellar cast including Hugh Jackman, Anne Hathaway, Russell Crowe, Helena Bonham Carter and Eddie Redmayne already lined up for Tom Hooper's new big screen version of the classic musical Les Miserables, there are only a handful of major roles left to be cast. Two of the biggest roles, Eponine and Cosette, are for some young female actresses, and a shortlist as just been revealed for the former role. The NY Post reports a wide array of talents including "Glee" and Broadway star Lea Michele, singer-turned-actress Taylor Swift, Scarlett Johansson and Evan Rachel Wood are all in the running for the part.

Coincidentally enough, Michele played a young Cosette in the Broadway show some years ago, and in a recent performance for Hooper, she apparently "knocked it out of the park." However, the source says Johansson's extensive acting experience is being weight along with the fact that she "can really sing" and Wood has her "indie cred" to bring to the table with some strong acting chops as well. The most unproven talent seems to be Swift who has much more experience singing than acting with the only voicing a character in The Lorax and a small part in Valentine's Day to her name. Frankly, I'd love to see Michele snag the role as she seems to be the most familiar with actual musicals, but we'll see what happens soon.

Filed under Casting, Development, Movie News

From around the web:

Ru

As long as Swift isn't involved I'm fine with any of the other actresses!
Txsrangerfan08

I don't like Glee or Lea, and Taylor would be bad acting (and to much country), so my vote is for Scarlett or Evan Rachel. I had to look up Evan Rachel on imdb, but found out that she was in Across the Universe, so that made me root for her even more.
- dude
  
  Lea is by far the best singer and actress of them all. Wood in AtA was so bad, her vocals were so auto-tuned it sounded like she was drowning.
- Albert
  
  Call the producer this person doesn't like someone. Why do you need to like them in order for them ot play a part? It isn't Lea playing Lea. Lea has a better voice than the rest, know the part already and look more the part. Evan would be ok but Lea is a better fit all around.
http://www.mynameisjay.com/ Tendonin

What an odd picture. Is she pulling herself off the ground after getting hit by a car?
- please
  
  Yeah becasue photo shot never have people in random places. Come on really this is what you have to contribute to the article?
Ali J Miller

No Taylor Swift or ScarJo please. (Seriously, what the hell - Scarlett is way too old to play either Eponine or Cosette.) Michele seems like she'd make a fine Eponine. Looks the part, too.
best choice

lea michele was ephonine at hollywood bowl concert and she was great, i want her to be cast for this role.
Katie

I love you
Truong18

why is she laying in the middle of the street?
- Richie G
  
  I know, right? Only clicked on the post to ask that question myself
- really??
  
  geez it is just some random photo shot.
http://www.facebook.com/harmony.wheeler Harmony Wheeler

They'd all be terrible in the role. Can any of them sing that high anyway?
- Annie
  
  Lea was offered the role of Eponine back in 2006 for the Broadway production of Les Mis, but she chose to stay with Spring Awakening. Hate her or love her, doesn't change the fact that her vocal chops are proven and she at least of the four actresses named can "sing that high" - which... isn't actually that high. It's Cosette who has the demanding soprano C.
Gracieacee

I want Taylor Sw!ft to get the part!!!!
Srqsam

Lea has a great voice. But couldn't act her way out of a paper bag. Taylor Swift, really, wtf... Let's cast a country pop star in a show that takes place in 19th century France.
- stop it
  
  BS Lea is a fine actress. She is excellent as Rachel Berry and did a great job as Eponine at the Hollywood Bowl.
Lebowski

What with computers and such these days, they should just cast a good actress and then have some proper mezzo soprano record the parts. And then they can just pro-tools it in or whatever. I'm sure it would be easy, and we would all avoid the displeasure of have to listen to crass vocal acrobatics of these grasping harpies.
AJ

If you are a true Les Miserables fan, you wouldn't want either Michele or Swift to play any part
- real fan
  
  I am a true fan and think Lea or Evan would a good job.
Serge

find out more about real Scarlett by typing Scarlett Johansson actress clone in Google search bar and you would see much more then in The Island movie..
1965

I saw Lea at the Hollywood Bowl and thought she did a wonderful job. I also think she has Rachel Berry pegged on glee. People get one thing stuck in their head and can;t move around it. Lea wold be an fine choice. I guess only Evan on the lsit would be the next best.
Queenspice

I really do hope Lea gets the part, she's an amazing actress and singer and was on broadway when she was 8. I think that's enough to say why she should get the part!
Jackson

Lea Michele should definitely get the part
lesli

Why is it that only one reporter has acknowledged the fact that she actually played Eponine in the Hollywood Bowl? Because it was a "concert" so it didn't actually count? Not to mention she was even offered the role before that. If anything, I think this is the biggest leg up she has on the competition. So why not give such an iconic role to someone with the most experience in it? Plus it's not like she's an unknown - Lea has her own set of fans that, while may be not be as numerous as the other big names, are just as if not more loyal and will most likely watch the movie because of her.
Itybitybmw

I think the film already has enough star power, they should cast a really awesome actress/singer who is unknown. I'm tired of seeing all films with all of the same people.