With the clock ticking down ever faster to the planned release date of his ambitious movie musical version of Les Miserables, director Tom Hooper is looking to finish up filling the remaining key parts for the film. And now comes word from Twitch that Amanda Seyfried and singer Taylor Swift have been offered the roles of Cosette and Eponine.
Cosette, of course, is one of the major roles in the plot. The grown daughter of Fantine (Anne Hathaway), she’s the girl that Jean Valjean (Hugh Jackman) rescues and adopts. She also ends up in a love triangle with driven student Marius (Eddie Redmayne) and Eponine (Swift, assuming she signs).
Neither performer is in, never mind completing, formal negotiations yet, but they’re certainly interesting choices. Swift is well established in the music business but has rarely acted; her only true film credit is small role among the ensemble of Valentine’s Day. Seyfried, meanwhile, has a well established acting CV but Hooper might also be looking to tap another of her skills: her opera training.
Yes, rumours have been flying that the director is aiming to have his cast sing their musical numbers live instead of mouthing along to pre-recorded material. We’ll see if that pans out.
With Russell Crowe also in the cast as determined lawman Javert (who hunts Valjean through the years chronicled in the film), Hooper is looking to kick off shooting in February.