Tom Hooper to take on Les Miserables

[narrows101]

Interview with Samantha Barks:

http://playbill.com/features/articl...rks-Eponine-of-the-New-Les-Misrables-Film/pg2

STAGE TO SCREENS: Meet Samantha Barks, Eponine of the New Les Misérables Film

By Mark Shenton
February 11, 2012

Samantha Barks, the young lady who'll play unrequited lover Eponine in the film musical of Les Misérables, is not a household-name pop star, but an actress who earned her role the old-fashioned way — on the boards.

Four years ago, Samantha Barks — then just 17 — was an entrant in the West End television star-search program "I'd Do Anything," which sought to cast the lead role of Nancy in Cameron Mackintosh's Drury Lane revival of Oliver! She placed third in the public vote, but is now playing the role, at last, for herself onstage in Mackintosh's new touring production of the show. On Jan. 31, she was dramatically given the news that she had won the role of Eponine in the forthcoming film version of Les Misérables. Playbill caught up with her on tour.

You heard the news at the end of the Jan. 31 performance of Oliver! in Manchester. Was it completely unexpected?

Samantha Barks: I have been auditioning for the last 15 weeks — going in and out, doing camera tests and screen tests. Then at the end of last Tuesday's show, we were taking our bow as usual, and Cameron [Mackintosh] came onstage. We were all wondering what it was about, and though that maybe he was going to give a speech about the Dickens 200th anniversary, but instead he told me I was going to be Eponine in the film! I've watched the video back, and just stood there frozen — it was such a surprise.

How do you feel now?

SB: I feel so over the moon, but I'm still in a slight state of shock. It's been a crazy week but everyone's support has been amazing.

You've played Eponine already in the West End and in the 25th anniversary concert at the 02 Arena that was also filmed, so you've made the role your own already. Is your approach going to be different for the film?

SB: I've had a lot of experience with the role, so it is fantastic to be able to now work on another side of it. New things emerge every time you go through it. Especially working with Tom Hooper, who is such a fantastic director, it's good to be bringing out new, fine details. And screen-testing with Eddie Redmayne [who was already cast as Marius for the film] was great: he's so fantastic, and screen testing with someone who was so lovely and made me feel so comfortable really helped. He's had such an amazing year — he's so talented, but also the nicest guy.

Frances Ruffelle, of course, created the role in the original stage production, and I know she tweeted her support when the news was announced.

SB: The first step of the crazy year I had with Les Misérables happened before I even opened in it; I was asked to sing a duet with Frances — we did a duet of "On My Own," which was kind of ironic! I was so honored to be singing with the brilliant original Eponine. Lea Salonga also tweeted me, and to have their support has been mind-blowing.

Is Eponine a role you always wanted to play?

SB: Yes, Les Misérables is absolutely one of the classics, it's such an epic musical. I always loved the part of Eponine, but it was only when I auditioned and got the part that I realized how much the character meant to me — she really evokes something in me. It's really such an incredible role, and to explore that in the West End, then in the concert and now on film is such an honor. I love that character so much.

Doing it at the 02 Arena was quite a big deal, too, wasn't it?

SB: Yes, and it was announced that I'd be doing it there on my opening night in the West End, so I've been on quite a journey with this character. To perform at the 02 was the biggest thing I've ever done.

But of course you're now playing the role of Nancy in Oliver!, which is what you went after when you took part in the TV show "I'd Do Anything."

SB: To be playing the role I auditioned for when I was 17 is such a joy. I was still at drama school at the time. I think the good part of doing that show when I was 17 is that it was such a hard process to go through, auditioning in front of the nation, that it proved to be a good training for my mind in learning not to take things to heart so much, and not to get too disheartened when you're criticized. It feels like such a long time ago — I was so young — but to do it now onstage is a dream in itself. It's such a fantastic role and with a great cast.

You're still young now!

SB: I'm 21 now, but it's amazing how different my life is now to then. I've been very lucky with the career I've had from then to now! I've learned that I've got to keep level-headed. If you go with every single emotion, it's a rollercoaster. But I've been given so many great opportunities, and I've tried to work as hard as I could in each show so I could keep growing as much as I can as a performer. The day you stop learning and creating must be the most boring day. It's important to be able to keep things fresh, no matter what age you are, or how many years you've been in the industry.

Who are your personal role models?

SB: I've got so many different role models for different things, but I really admire Beyonce — no matter how successful she gets, she still seems to remain this level headed human being. Every time I see an interview with her I think that's the way to be! She's someone I'd love to meet. When I hear her sing, she just blows me away every single time. But when I see her in interview, I fall in love with her — she seems to remain his wonderful human being.

You'll be working with some great people in Les Misérables — Hugh Jackman, Russell Crowe, Helena Bonham Carter. Are you intimated?

SB: I'm so excited! These are people I have so much respect for as actors, the whole cast is phenomenal, and I can't wait to get working with them!

 

[narrows101]

Video interview with Amanda Seyfried about playing Cosette:

http://www.accesshollywood.com/movi...aying-cosette-in-les-miserables_video_1385182

 

[Clu]

dem women.....so hot......movie is going to be overloaded with hotness.

 

[narrows101]

More from Amanda - among other things, she said she will be doing an English accent. (I only posted Les Mis parts of the interview)

But make no mistake— she’s relishing this chapter of her career. In April, she starts playing a completely different character from Lovelace— Cosette, the waif in Victor Hugo’s “Les Miserables,” a movie adaptation of one of the most successful musicals.

“I love the idea of playing a porn star turned feminist and then an 18-year-old English woman—well, French, but I’m going to be doing an English accent,” she said. “It’s really confusing. It’s going to be hard. I hope I have let go of the New York accent by the time we start filming. That’s a big concern.”

***

Amanda was just as enthusiastic talking about “Les Miserables, which will be directed by Tom Hooper (“The King’s Speech”) and which boasts an impressive cast: Hugh Jackman (Jean Valjean), Russell Crowe (Inspector Javert), Anne Hathaway (Fantine), Sacha Baron Cohen (Monsieur Thenardier), Helena Bonham Carter (Madame Thenardier) and Samantha Barks (Eponine).

Dream role

“Cosette is a dream role,” she gushed. “I was playing Cosette in recitals when I was 15. I sang ‘A Heart Full of Love.’ When I first saw ‘Les Miz’ in Philadelphia, I was 11. ‘Les Miz’ could be gruesome but as an 11-year-old, you can still connect to it because of the music. The musical is such a part of why I became a singer. My career is like a really weird circle because now I’m in the hands of Cameron Mackintosh.”

The star stressed that she worked hard to land the role. “We spent months and months of training, auditioning and re-auditioning,” she said. “We fought so hard. We’re really happy.”

When we asked Amanda if the cast would really sing live while shooting the movie, she smiled and said, “Yeah, can you believe it? Singing live is a great idea and I hope it works. It’s weird when you’re acting in a drama and then you start singing. The music works for that. But sometimes when the music is prerecorded and you’re lip-synching, it’s obvious. Tom Hooper doesn’t want any of that. I’m singing and training constantly now that I wrapped my (‘Lovelace’) movie. I have Skype time with my voice coach in New York. I do it every day. I’m also taking a lot of herbs to keep myself healthy because once you lose your voice, you don’t get it back for two or three weeks. It’s a really physical thing.”

The actress who proved her vocal chops in “Mamma Mia!” said, “Getting back into singing has been really tough but it’s awesome. I didn’t lose what I had when I was 15. It’s only gotten better so that’s a plus.”

http://entertainment.inquirer.net/30535/from-porn-star-to-waif

 

[narrows101]

Filming has started, according to Hugh, who tweets a photo:

Hugh Jackman ‏ @RealHughJackman
Day one of Les Mis shoot. Soooo excited! twitpic.com/8tly4t

http://***********/#!/RealHughJackman/status/177782121086193664

 

[danoyse]

Yay!

 

[Raiden]

Read the interviews from Barks and Seyfried really makes me feel excited about this cast, and that the movie dodged a Taylor Swift-as-Eponine bullet which would've dragged the entire movie down, at least for me. I hope in a couple of months or less than that, we'll get to see some photos from the movie. This could become the best musical movie in recent history, and put that Oscar-winning film Chicago to shame.

 

[narrows101]

Ugh, boxofficemojo.com indicates the release date has changed from Dec. 7 to Dec. 14, right up against The Hobbit.

 

[Pink Ranger]

It's good counter-programming for people not really interested in seeing The Hobbit.

I want to see both, but will likely end up seeing Les Miz first to avoid the sweaty nerd crowd.

 

[terry78]

It's good counter-programming for people not really interested in seeing The Hobbit.

I want to see both, but will likely end up seeing Les Miz first to avoid the sweaty nerd crowd.

Because the musical loving crowd will be less sweaty, maybe?

 

[Pink Ranger]

Because the musical loving crowd will be less sweaty, maybe?

Also more gay guys and 40-plus single women. Either way, I'm walking out with more phone numbers than I came in with! t:

 

[Raiden]

Ugh, boxofficemojo.com indicates the release date has changed from Dec. 7 to Dec. 14, right up against The Hobbit.

It's gonna be hard deciding which movie I want to see in their first week of premiere.

 

[danoyse]

It's gonna be hard deciding which movie I want to see in their first week of premiere.

That's it, I'm taking a vacation day and seeing both.

Dammit, my dad and I saw all of the LOTR movies on opening night together, we're planning to do the same for The Hobbit. Doesn't anyone at Universal own a calendar?

 

[narrows101]

There has to be a strategy behind this. Universal also distributed Mamma Mia! and that went up against The Dark Knight and while it made $27M on opening weekend it went on to gross $140M domestic, so this may be their strategy. Plus I think that's the same week as the Golden Globe nominations and they are gambling they will get a few and maybe have "momentum". Plus lots of big movies open in December and do okay against each other because of the holidays.

 

[Majik1387]

Well Mamma Mia also had a re-release not too long after it was gone from theaters; That may have aided it into making more money.

 

[narrows101]

Dec. 14 is also the week before Christmas holidays which is a big movie-going weekend so perhaps that factored in. It would be the second weekend of release, not the third.

 

[kvz5]

Assuming it's good and well received, how many acting nods are we expecting here? 4? Jackman, Crowe, Barks and Hathaway?

 

[narrows101]

Assuming it's good and well received, how many acting nods are we expecting here? 4? Jackman, Crowe, Barks and Hathaway?

Everyone forgets about Eddie Redmayne. He's an award-winning actor (Tony Award among others) and has a beautiful voice (he was in the choir at Eton, I think lead singer) and he gets to sing Empty Chairs at Empty Tables. I think he may have a shot. I'm not so sure about Barks, she basically has that one song and not much more, but I guess it depends on Hooper handles it.

 

[Majik1387]

I'd personally say Eponine has a bigger part compared to Cosette.

And I don't see Hathaway being nominated honestly.

 

[Raiden]

I'd personally say Eponine has a bigger part compared to Cosette.

And I don't see Hathaway being nominated honestly.

I always felt that, although Eponine only has one great song in the musical, it is imo the top three songs in Les Mis and Cosette doesn't have one (unless you count Castle in the Cloud, which she sang when she was a little girl). I also think Eponine's tragic end would make her resonate more with the audience than Cosette could, at least she is to me.

As for Hathaway, I can definitely see her getting nominated. She has gotten a nomination before so I think Oscar voters will pay attention to her performance in this movie. She also has a great song, made even more famous thanks to Susan Doyle, and has a tragedy like Eponine does. She may have a small role, but one that is very memorable.

 

[Majik1387]

Well regarding Cosette, I understand the majority of the story wouldn't happen if she didn't exist, however, I feel Eponine moves the story forward more than just existing.

Regarding Hathaway possible nomination, I agree she'll be looked at because it is Hathaway and because it is Les Miserables, but I don't really think Fontine is an award worthy role personally.

 

[kvz5]

Eponine is the baitiest among the 3 female roles so I think if Barks does at least above average and there is a strong support for the movie in general then she'll be nominated. While Fantine is not as baity as Eponine, Hathaway will most likely get a nod just because she's Hathaway like what you guys said.

 

[Raiden]

Eponine is the baitiest among the 3 female roles so I think if Barks does at least above average and there is a strong support for the movie in general then she'll be nominated. While Fantine is not as baity as Eponine, Hathaway will most likely get a nod just because she's Hathaway like what you guys said.

I remember that Eponine also has the duet "A Little Fall of Rain" with Maris, and it could be the saddest song in the whole musical, or at least on par with Bring Him Home and Empty Chairs At Empty Tables, so I think Eponine could be the scene-stealer in Les Miserables. Barks could become a star after this movie if her performance is amazing.

I think Fantine is a very strong albeit small role, and Hathaway will definitely nail the role and makes it fascinating. The only problem is that her role is limited to the first half of the movie, so it might lessen her impact (although she would make a return at the end to remind the moviegoers lol).

 

[narrows101]

Filming starts Monday according to Russell Crowe. He tweets what was done this week.

Russell Crowe @russellcrowe
Les Miserables so far in 3 tweets, no spoilers. So for the last 5 weeks we have been rehearsing at Pinewood studios. Worked here on POL and

Russell Crowe
Les Miz 2: RH. The London rehearsals for Texas were at Pinewood. I digress, so our days have been a mixture of singing and learning stunts

Alex Grey
@russellcrowe How are they going? Good so far? How's Miss Hathaway doing?
Russell Crowe
@grey603 amazing

Russell Crowe
LM3: rehearsing/rough blocking. Costume fittings, hair do's all the elements coming together.The whole thing gets rolling Monday.Very excited.

Russell Crowe
@Nurty222 current date is December 14th 2012

 

[narrows101]

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/tvshowbi...ut-opposite-Bill-Nighy.html?ito=feeds-newsxml

Flirty Bertie gets hands-on with Anne Tasty role: Bertie Carvel

Cameron Mackintosh has helped gather some of the top talent in the West End to take on non-star roles in Tom Hooper’s film of the musical Les Miserables.

Bertie Carvel, one of our best stage actors who all but steals the musical Matilda, has a tasty part as Bamatabois, the snarky dandy who attacks Fantine and then claims she assaulted him. Carvel will get to push snow down the front of Anne Hathaway’s dress.

Daniel Evans, the two-time Olivier Award-winning actor - now director of Sheffield Theatres - is also in the cast, along with Adrian Scarborough.

Several actors who have performed on stage in Les Miserables (past and present) have parts in the film.

They include Caroline Sheen, Hadley Fraser, Killian Donnelly, Mike Jibson, Linzi Hateley, Gemma Wardle, Katy Secombe, Gina Beck, Fra Fee, Alexia Khadine and Katie Hall.

‘It’s what happened when they made the film version of Oliver!,’ Mackintosh told me.

‘Everyone who was in a West End musical auditioned for the film. It means you’ve got the cream of London in the film.’

Several of the actors have been rehearsing along- side Hugh Jackman and Russell Crowe.

Members of the student ensemble, such as Matt Corner and Jos Slovick, will be manning the barricades next to Eddie Redmayne and Aaron Tveit.

And as already revealed on this page, Colm Wilkinson and Frances Ruffelle - stars of the original production - have small, but significant roles, while a veteran (aged 12) has landed the coveted part of cheeky Parisian street lad Gavroche. Daniel Huttlestone, who began his career as a nipper with Rowan Atkinson in Oliver!, has already played Gavroche on stage.