Samantha Barks, 'Les Miserables's' Eponine: Stage Actress Earns Role Previously Marked For Taylor Swift

Meet Samantha Barks, the actress who Tom Hooper chose to play Eponine in "Les Miserables" over established Hollywood starlets like Scarlett Johansson, Lea Michele and Taylor Swift.

Barks was notified of her big-screen break on Tuesday night following a performance of "Oliver!" at the Manchester Palace in England. Producer Cameron Mackintosh told Barks, who then Tweeted her excitement: "Most incredible moment of my life!!!!"

The 21-year-old rose to fame in England after finishing third on the talent show "I'd Do Anything" in 2008. In a twist that seems like anything but a coincidence, she actually played Eponine in a London production of "Les Miserables" from June of 2010 to June of 2011. She also starred as Eponine in the 25th anniversary production of "Les Mis" in October of 2010, after Mackintosh saw her perform in the role in London.

Hooper, who won an Oscar last year for directing "The King's Speech," has assembled an all-star cast for his adaptation of "Les Miserables": Hugh Jackman as Jean Valjean, Russell Crowe as Inspector Javert, Anne Hathaway as Fantine, Amanda Seyfried as Cosette and Eddie Redmayne as Marius. His shortlist for Eponine included Johansson, Michele, Swift and Evan Rachel Wood; earlier this year, it was reported that Swift had the inside track, but apparently the stage bona fides of Barks was too much for her to overcome.

So, what will Barks sound like as Eponine? Probably something like this: her performance of the famed song "On My Own" in the 25th anniversary production of the musical.

"Les Miserables" arrives in theaters on Dec. 7.

[via Broadway World]

Comments

[franko12]

02:10 PM on 02/02/2012

In addition to that, what an ugly Wh___ that was chosen good grief I dont know who could look at that and watch this movie.

[Ampoliros]

07:51 PM on 02/03/2012

Wow, classy. And you call me a troll for saying your precious TS can't sing. At least I never called her a Wh__.

I mean, I do believe she is one, but I'll keep that comment to myself.

[franko12]

02:07 PM on 02/02/2012

You know I cant really post what I want too. All of you disgraces to society period!!! who are bashing one of the few clebrities out there worthly of support and is an actual good role model had best be glad you are not standing in front of me right now cause you wouldnt be I guarentee you that. Each one of you making these totally horrendous and totally false accusations belong in a pine bo. She can sing with you think she can or not she would not be as popular and weathly as she is without being able to sing. I swear you!!!!!!! a_____ are the reason this country is in the disgraceful state its in.

[Ampoliros]

03:05 AM on 02/03/2012

No, the fact that manufacturers of sound based entertainment like Taylor Swift have as many fans as they do is why this country has turned into an economic nightmare of worthless products.

If something has no soul to it, then it has no value.

[Soundcheck]

01:08 PM on 02/02/2012

Since only the media published unsupported claims and "hear say" of a Swift offer, it is becoming more clear that this whole fiasco was a fabrication of pure speculation. If Swift was made an offer, she would have stated such. So basically, the only solid information was that Swift MAY have tryed out for the part. And for that matter she MAY not have not accepted the part. I am still looking for any concrete proof over the last weeks, other than rumor, where someone in any official capacity has stepped up and attached their name to any official statement about an offer or anything else other than the recent announcement of who is actually playing the part. Just goes to show how the media can dominate the minds of so many with just speculation.

[Max Shaw]

12:25 PM on 02/02/2012

Taylor Swift in Les Miserables? Ha. Please....

[franko12]

08:40 AM on 02/03/2012

You on the planet at all HA HA!!Please!!!

[Eric Vincent]

11:32 AM on 02/02/2012

This is my most favorite musical ever. For the longest time I've wanted to see a silver screen adaptation of it. I really think Samantha Barks will be a great addition to the cast, she makes a way better Eponine than Taylor Swift. Not a Taylor hater, but I think she should stick to country/pop music, it's what she's good at, and she should leave the Broadway stuff to the professionals.

[Sharon Odom]

10:36 AM on 02/02/2012

Thank you!! I am not a Taylor hater BUT I did think her voice is too thin for this role. I think she is an amazing songwriter but this role needed someone with a Broadway voice to pull it off.

[scorpioleidy]

10:35 AM on 02/02/2012

" ... established hollywood starlets ..." and Taylor Swift in the same sentence! W. T. F!!!

And bravo to this Hooper guy for coming to his senses before it was too late!

[Catherine in Tulsa]

09:41 AM on 02/02/2012

Taylor Swift can't really sing, so why you would put her in a Broadway play is beyond me.

[franko12]

02:16 PM on 02/02/2012

And you wouldnt know your head from your behind so why are you on this post

[Ampoliros]

03:02 AM on 02/03/2012

Because Taylor Swift CAN'T SING. She is a product, not an artist.

[JonShank]

09:26 AM on 02/02/2012

For all the Taylor haters... I'd like to see any of you write hit songs and handle fame the way she has all at her age. Is she perfect? No... none of us is... but she has loads of fans... which means she must have something going on... AND had she been in the film... (she may still be)... can you imagine the number of young girls who would have gone to see it just for HER? It may have been big money for the film makers.

[Catherine in Tulsa]

04:19 PM on 02/02/2012

hey, if you're the producer, then go with her. But the rest of us would rather see something worthwhile.

[JonShank]

04:56 PM on 02/02/2012

You don't KNOW that Taylor Swift would be bad in the role. So, don't pretend you speak for everyone or that you know what's good and bad... she's a talented young lady. I would imagine the girl they got to replace her excellent. But Taylor Swift isn't horrible just because you don't like her.

[franko12]

08:43 AM on 02/03/2012

I seriously doubt you are worthwhile so who cares what you think!!!

[courtb]

08:08 AM on 02/02/2012

I really liked her on "I'd Do Anything" and I like this performance. She doesn't get too nasally, like many do who sing that song.

[JDHARTIL]

07:16 AM on 02/02/2012

Think this is a great choice, though I am a big fan of Taylor. Samantha is a real class singer and will surely do well in the role.

[lasjazzman]

06:21 AM on 02/02/2012

It is in no way Taylor's fault, but even if the producers or director wanted her in the role, it would have been an absolute disaster for the production as a whole to cast her. The reason is simple. Taylor's level of fame, the number and basic rabidness of her fans would have meant that if Taylor was in, nothing else about the production or any of the other cast members would have been noticed or written up in the press - the whole thing would be "Swift-ly" smothered in Taylormania!

[leftcoastindy]

10:29 AM on 02/02/2012

Prolly true, but think of the huge bump in first weekend and then repeat bus from her fans. They may lose 200M in box office, just in the US

[lasjazzman]

10:41 AM on 02/02/2012

You certainly have a good point!!!

[Paris215]

05:26 AM on 02/02/2012

Good choice..

[JSDKoeln]

03:46 AM on 02/02/2012

I'm happy they actually picked a stage actress for the role. I mean, Hollywood has a history of really messing up musicals. I'm all for packing it with stars, but c'mon, can they at least stay a little true to the intent of the original musical? Johnny Depp, one of my most favorite actors of all time, was totally miscast as Sweeney Todd. They just try fitting square pegs into round holes. Nine was just hideous. Chicago was the best of all the recent musicals.

As for this cast: Russel Crowe? C'mon. really? The man has no booming baritone for Javert. I adore Hugh Jackman... think he is an amazing talent; however, he is no Jean Valjean! The role is written a much different voice... Hugh is the male Ethel Merman. But then again, he'll be nice to look at, as always. Les Mis is really quite a vocally demanding show. They are forgetting that they the actors need to be able to sing the music.

[TrendsJody]

09:09 AM on 02/02/2012

I mostly agree with you but Crowe has the rage for Javert and he can talk/sing it like Rex Harrison did in My Fair Lady. I think it will be great!! Can't wait. I want to know who will be Master Of The House & Wife!!! :)

[JSDKoeln]

09:20 AM on 02/02/2012

The problem is the music written for Javert is impossible to "talk sing". He really has to sing well. I mean, if I had my way, Hugh would be cast as Javert. They should find a different Jean Valjean, imo.

It will be interesting, that's for sure!

[Jose Hill]

11:45 AM on 02/02/2012

Helena Bonham Carter was cast as Mmm Tenardier and Sasha Baron Cohen as M Tenardier. Javert sings the song "Stars" and I didn't know Russel Crowe was a singer either.

[LilithV]

10:35 AM on 02/02/2012

Give Hugh Jackman some credit at least he has a Broadway/theater background with a Tony award under his belt. I think he'll do fine in the role.

[JSDKoeln]

04:38 PM on 02/02/2012

I was fortunate enough to see his Curly in Oklahoma AND Boy from Oz as well. I love him. He is just not as Jean Valjean (and I'm a former b'way baby turned opera singer). Russell? ummm, just no. There are much better singer/actors that can do it. But this is hollywood... water-downed musicalville.

[DOGnIT]

03:14 AM on 02/02/2012

I prefer the original. From 1987. A much more poignant rendition. Saw her in 1986 and was completely moved.

She's sings the song on The Tonight Show here:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=927kmb7ESgs