Samantha Barks, Not Taylor Swift, Will Play Eponine in 'Les Miserables'

By IBTimes Staff Reporter: Subscribe to IBTimes's

February 2, 2012 8:56 AM EST

Though it had been rumored that country superstar Taylor Swift would play the role of Eponine in Tom Hooper's adaptation of "Les Miserables," Samantha Barks will actually take the part in the classic play.

Samantha Barks, a British stage star, will play the role of the ragged waif who yearns for Marius. According to BroadwayWorld.com, Barks has played the role of Eponine before at the 25th anniversary "Les Mis" concert in London.

Cameron Mackintosh announced live on stage after the performance of "Oliver!" on Tuesday evening, in which Barks is currently playing the part of Nancy.  After Mackintosh made the big announcement, audience members said "the look on her face was priceless."

She tweeted soon after the curtain call: "Most incredible moment of my life!!!! X"

Matt Harrop, in the ensemble, added: "so happy for my nancy babes. Amazing and incredible news. So worthy! Mx."

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As for Taylor Swift, the rumor mill churned with talk of her contending for the role alongside "Glee" star Lea Michele, Scarlett Johansson and Evan Rachel Wood.

Swift has not commented on the news of Samantha Barks as Eponine. Her last tweet, on Jan. 29, was: "Watching tv with my cat while eating Toy Story fruit snacks. So basically I'm 80 and 5 at the same time."

The "Les Mis" cast will include Russell Crowe as Inspector Javert, Hugh Jackman as Jean Valjean, Anne Hathaway as Fantine and Eddie Redmayne as Marius. The Hooper-adaptation of "Les Mis" is scheduled to release on December 7.

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