Taylor Swift won't be playing Eponine in 'Les Miserables' after all
Stage actress Samantha Barks will be taking on the coveted role instead
Taylor Swift arrives at the Sundance Film Festival premiere of the documentary "Ethel".
Sorry, Swifty.
Though it was previously reported that country-pop superstar Taylor Swift had been offered the role of Eponine in Tom Hooper's upcoming adaptation of the "Les Miserables" stage musical, it turns out the singer won't be playing the part after all.
According to Broadway World, British stage actress Samantha Barks - who previously played Eponine in the West End production of "Les Miserables" - will be taking on the character instead.
"Most incredible moment of my life!!!! X", Barks tweeted following the announcement, which took place following a performance of the musical "Oliver!" (in which the actress is playing Nancy) at the UK's Manchester Palace. She was apparently unaware that she'd won the role until it was announced on-stage by producer Cameron Mackintosh.
Barks came up through the BBC reality series "I'd Do Anything", which saw several young actresses competing for the role of Nancy in a West End revival of the musical "Oliver!" Though she eventually came in third, she went on to win roles in a UK touring production of "Cabaret" playing Sally Bowles and as Eponine in "Les Miserables", a role she reprised for the musical's 25th anniversary concert at London's 02 Arena in October 2010. She was cast in the "Oliver!" role she'd originally been vying for just last month.
Slated for release on December 7, 2012, "Les Miserables" stars Hugh Jackman as Jean Valjean, Russell Crowe as Javert, Anne Hathaway as Fantine, Sacha Baron Cohen as Thernardier, Helena Bonham Carter as Madame Thenardier, Amanda Seyfried as Cosette, Eddie Redmayne as Marius and Aaron Tveit as Enjolras. It's being directed by Tom Hooper ("The King's Speech").
What do you think of this news? Are you disappointed that Swift is no longer involved, or do you think the film will be better off without her? Sound off below!
Related Events
-
movies
Trending Now on HitFix Boards
| Topic | Started By | Latest Post | Replies |
|---|---|---|---|
| sandylewis90 |
2 months ago
|
1
|
|
| sandylewis90 |
3 months ago
|
1
|
|
| Discuss Movies General on HitFix Message Boards » | |||
News From Our Partners
-
Tolerability Index: This week we're barely putting up with The Killing
TV Roundtable: When My Boys tested its prickly chemistry by inviting some new faces to the poker table
The Walkthrough: The New Girl showrunners on topping season two’s big kiss (Part 5 of 5)
-
In Pictures: The Stars of Star Trek Into Darkness
Digital Multiplex: The Last Stand, Side Effects, and More
RT on DVD & Blu-Ray: Ambitious, Time-Jumping Epic Cloud Atlas
-
'Riddick' Trailer: Vin Diesel Is What Goes Bump in the Night
'The Simpsons' Taps Kristen Wiig For Guest Arc As FBI Agent
CBS Fall 2013 Schedule: 'Mike & Molly' to 2014, More Comedy Thursday, and 'Hawaii' to Friday
-
Hulu.com: 7 Things That Wouldn't Exist Without The Office
Larry Womack: In Defense of (the Original) James T. Kirk
'Storage Wars': Ivy Finds Giant Clam Shell
-
Demi Moore & Ashton Kutcher in $10M Tug of War
'Captain America: The Winter Soldier': Chris Evans, Scarlett Johansson, Anthony Mackie Spotted in D.C. (VIDEO)
Katie Holmes Attracts the Wrong Kind of Attention on 'Mania Days' Set
-
Best Alicia Keys Instagram Photos – Picture Perfect
Taylor Swift Fan Arrested for Swimming Near Her Rhode Island Beach House
Taylor Swift vs. Pink vs. Rihanna vs. Beyonce: Whose Tour Costume Do You Like Best? – Readers Poll
-
'Star Trek' Baddie Benedict Cumberbatch Reveals Role's Biggest Challenge
Cannes Film Festival 2013: Our Must-See Movies
'Star Trek Into Darkness': The Secret Behind The Sounds
-
What to Watch Tonight: The Season Finales of Arrow, CSI, and Supernatural
Grimm "The Waking Dead" Review: Dead On Arrival
CBS's 2013-2014 Season: New Nights for Person of Interest and Hawaii Five-0, More Comedy on Thursdays
Comments
Option 1
Comment instantly as a guest GuestOption 2
Option 3
Login or create a HitFix account Login SignupJJ1
January 31, 2012 at 10:58PM EST Reply to CommentEcstatic. Samantha Barks was fantastic in the 25th anniversary PBS special. Swift is adorable. But Eponine? No. Never saw it. So happy that Swift was passed up for Barks. :)
Guest
January 31, 2012 at 11:33PM EST Reply to CommentI would have seen this if taylor was in it, would have been cool to see her in a real movie..now ill just wait for redbox or something
Brian YOU ARE WHAT IS WRONG WITH THE WORLD.
January 31, 2012 at 11:37PM ESTStacey Taylor Swift would have dragged that movie down faster than an anvil tied to a sparrow.
January 31, 2012 at 11:45PM ESTSam LOOK This person likes Taylor Swift and you don't have to have stupid negative comments!!!
February 2, 2012 at 5:59AM ESTPersonally I was disappointed that Taylor isn't going to do it anymore.
emily ARE YOU NUTS?! samantha will be better as eponine!
March 29, 2012 at 8:11PM ESTAndrew
February 1, 2012 at 1:13AM EST Reply to CommentI am disappointed because I was looking forward to seeing what Swift would have brought to the role. It's disappointing that the producers were able to cast people who had never been in this musical before in every role excpet this one.
DH You know Hugh Jackman was on Broadway for a long time previously, right?
October 3, 2012 at 2:17PM ESTAnonymous Swift writes songs for HER vocal range. There's nothing wrong with that, but she just could not deliver like Samantha Barks.
March 27, 2013 at 10:45PM ESTexiles
February 1, 2012 at 1:19AM EST Reply to Commentgreat! that is actually a good news! ... they should try talking about the role of amanda as cosette next. She doesnt have the high notes but she REALLY is pretty :)
EB Word on the street is Amanda is a classically trained opera singer.
February 1, 2012 at 9:59AM ESTPrettok
February 1, 2012 at 1:40AM EST Reply to CommentI'd rather see Taylor Swift in this movie than Anne Hathaway. Les Missrables is constant singing. Better to cast a singer who can't act over an actress who can't sing.
ean Ann Hathaway is a singer...?
February 1, 2012 at 6:52AM ESTLaurie I bet Anne Hathaway sings better than Taylor Swift.
February 1, 2012 at 7:21AM ESTE http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EilYyLLK-do&feature=related Well, Anne can sing. Shes originally a stage actress.
February 1, 2012 at 7:36AM ESTBiddle Anna Hathaway can sing her well sculpted ass off AND she's a very good actress. I'd say she's perfect for Fantine.
February 1, 2012 at 10:37AM EST143
February 1, 2012 at 2:02AM EST Reply to CommentI think that Les Miserables just lost a lot of viewers
Biddle Only the Taylor Swift fans, don't underestimate the volume of Les Mis fans who are now rejoicing (I say this as my wife walks away with a skip in her step and a happy smile). I had no problem with Taylor Swift in this role, mostly out of curiosity to see how she would do. However I can appreciate the thinking that went with this decision, especially after watching some video of Samantha Barks performing.
February 1, 2012 at 10:41AM ESTI highly doubt Swift's departure is going to hurt this movie's chances much.
Sara
February 1, 2012 at 2:44AM EST Reply to CommentI think the movie probably lost a lot of viewers...
I really wanted to see Taylor in it.
Darn....
Kelsey sorry, but taylor can only sing the pop/country stuff she writes for her self, she cant handle Les Mis. I'm not saying she's a bad singer, but being a singer doesnt mean you can sing everything. Les Mis is an operetta, that is very far from Taylor Swifts style.
October 19, 2012 at 8:33PM ESTAnd believe me, this change has only gained the movie viewers.
Sara
February 1, 2012 at 2:44AM EST Reply to Comment:(
I wanted to see Taylor in it
EB
February 1, 2012 at 9:44AM EST Reply to CommentThey just saved the movie. Who cares if 13 year-old girls don't go see it.
13 Apparently I do. I CARE!
February 2, 2012 at 6:02AM ESTBiddle
February 1, 2012 at 10:33AM EST Reply to CommentI personally had no issue with Taylor Swift as Eponine, but my wife was not please. So when I saw this story I called her in and she high fived me. :D
Either way I'm fine with the news, it's the Anne Hathaway casting that I'm really excited about, according to IMDB (they're never wrong are they?) Hathaway brought the room to tears when she auditioned for Fantine.
This is a really strong looking cast overall. I gooogled Samantha Barks (in front of my wife, who knew she liked to watch?) and was impressed with her singing.
emma
February 3, 2012 at 4:02PM EST Reply to CommentSuch great news! I've seen Swift in concert and she is by far the most awkward performer I've ever seen. Just not a good fit for such an important role.
Vicky
February 6, 2012 at 10:51PM EST Reply to CommentI am a huge fan of Taylor Swift I am disappointed but I will think positive I hope Samantha will do good also I will watch this because Anne Hathaway is in it and it Taylor Swift will be great for the role because she is acting as a character not herself either the actor job is to be truthful and prepared and I believe Taylor could do that I with Harhaway and Barks good luck also thanks Sam for defending the guest Taylor Swift is awesome I love her and is one of her number 1 fan.
Kai
March 20, 2012 at 9:35PM EST Reply to CommentJust listened to Samantha sing a couple of songs and she can sing live on pitch with depth and range. She's mainly a belter but can definitely sing Eponine's songs. Taylor's mono range voice is not suited for those songs, she mainly talk sings so should stick to her usual pop stuff over dubbed with lots of instrumental tracks and the safety of auto tune.
Lauren
October 10, 2012 at 5:43PM EST Reply to CommentI personally am a Taylor Swift fan but I'm glad that Samantha Barks had taken her place. Because my huger Les Miserables fan side wins over and I don't want to see a film where one of the leads just can not act and ruins one of my all time favourite musicals
Guest
November 20, 2012 at 1:27AM EST Reply to CommentA lot of the cast has been on Broadway before, and Taylor Swift hasn't. I don't think she has the voice or vocal training that the other actors do, so she would not fit in well with the rest of the cast. And, to be totally honest, considering this film was filmed with them all singing LIVE replacing her was probably the best idea. She's not the best live singer, especially not for this kind of music. Just think about it for two seconds.
And my two cents on Anne Hathway? No better choice. She's an incredible actress who, YES, can actually sing and very well. A lot of these actors, if not ALL, are stage actors previously. Get over it if they haven't been in THIS particular show before. I'm happy.
Guest
November 20, 2012 at 1:28AM EST Reply to CommentA lot of the cast has been on Broadway before, and Taylor Swift hasn't. I don't think she has the voice or vocal training that the other actors do, so she would not fit in well with the rest of the cast. And, to be totally honest, considering this film was filmed with them all singing LIVE replacing her was probably the best idea. She's not the best live singer, especially not for this kind of music. Just think about it for two seconds.
And my two cents on Anne Hathway? No better choice. She's an incredible actress who, YES, can actually sing and very well. A lot of these actors, if not ALL, are stage actors previously. Get over it if they haven't been in THIS particular show before. I'm happy.Write a comment...
Guest
November 20, 2012 at 1:31AM EST Reply to CommentA lot of the cast has been on Broadway before, and Taylor Swift hasn't. I don't think she has the voice or vocal training that the other actors do, so she would not fit in well with the rest of the cast. And, to be totally honest, considering this film was filmed with them all singing LIVE replacing her was probably the best idea. She's not the best live singer, especially not for this kind of music. Just think about it for two seconds.
And my two cents on Anne Hathway? No better choice. She's an incredible actress who, YES, can actually sing and very well. A lot of these actors, if not ALL, are stage actors previously. Get over it if they haven't been in THIS particular show before. I'm happy.
Rhett
December 27, 2012 at 10:40AM EST Reply to Commentthank god she didn't get the part.
anon
December 30, 2012 at 11:35PM EST Reply to CommentHonestly, taylor doesn't need this role. She sold over 1 million copies of Red on the first week. She's an artist not actress. And for those who says she can't sing live, well, she won Best Live on MTV EMA 2012.
Kenlie
January 2, 2013 at 4:29AM EST Reply to CommentNot being a "hater" but that whole movie (which was AMAZING by the way EVERYONE needs to see it in theatre) but anyways that whole movie was filled with people that had a "broadway voice" I would say and i'm a fan of taylors but I don't think she has amazing vocals like samantha and especially LIVE! yup they were all singing LIVE in the movie no lip singing and did yall here taylor New years day? that wouldn't have gone well no offense.
Kenlie
January 2, 2013 at 4:33AM EST Reply to CommentNot trying to be a "hater" but that movie (which was AMAZING! EVERYONE should see it in theatres to get the whole feeling..I swear you will cry) but anyways that movie was filled with people with a I guess you could call it a "broadway" voice and i'm not trying to be rude sorry if this comes off that way but Taylor does not have a fantastic vocals like Samantha does. Especially since everyone in that movie was singing LIVE. Yup all the singing was not lip singing! and no offense but have you heard Taylor live? sorry but my personal opinion is they could not have found a better eponine then Samantha Barks. She was Stunning.
Becca
January 12, 2013 at 11:40AM EST Reply to CommentI am really glad that Samantha plays eponine. I think if Taylor were to be in the movie she would be better as cossette but definitely not eponine.
Sara
February 3, 2013 at 1:53PM EST Reply to CommentTaylor Swift is not bad, but I she would've lost a ton of fans if she went and made a mess of one of the favourite characters in the entire play. Eponine is a beloved character and Samantha Barks played her with perfection. A perfection Swift could have never pulled off. I like Taylor, but it's better for everyone that Samantha got the part. The movie was beyond fantastic!