'Les Miserables' plucks Eponine from stage

Following a lengthy search for the best femme to experience Eponine in the "L'ensemble des Miserables" adaptation, Universal has drawn on Samantha Barks, who had formerly performed the role inside a 2010 London stage manufacture of the Victor Hugo classic. Pic already stars Hugh Jackman, Russell Crowe, Hathaway As Catwoman and Amanda Seyfried. "The King's Speech" helmer Tom Hooper will direct. Hooper and Universal had released a large look for their Eponine, at some point thinking about Taylor Quick and Jum Michelle. However they chosen Barks, who performed the song-belting street urchin within the 2010 London manufacture of "L'ensemble des Miz," and reprised the role this past year within the show's 25th anniversary concert in the O2 Arena. William Nicholson Alain Boublil and Claude-Michel Schoenberg modified the Hugo novel for that bigscreen, where it bows 12 ,. 7. Tim Bevan and Eric Fellner will produce for Working Title alongside Cameron Mackintosh and Debra Hayward. Barks is repped by U . s . Agents within the U.K. Contact Justin Kroll at justin.kroll@variety.com