Taylor Swift was in London and was supposed to stay awhile to film the role of Eponine in Les Miserables. Perhaps Taylor was miserables or didn't quite know what the les part was or maybe the producers finally got around to watching Valentine's Day. For whatever reason, Taylor dropped out of the production and Samantha Banks (Zoe in Groove High) will play the role instead. So, the film will have at least one person who has actually played the role before. Samantha played Eponine in the 25th anniversary concert and also dated a Jonas so it is kind of like she is Taylor, but the Broadway version.
Probably the best story of the day is how Samantha found out. She is currently in Oliver! and at the end of the performance the director told her live on stage in front of the audience. It also seems like former cast members, including the original Eponine are much more excited about Samantha playing the role than Taylor Swift. Frances Ruffelle, who created the role, tweeted to Barks: "So proud of you!! Well done my darling girl xxxxx"
Don't you love how Broadway people always say the well done and call everyone darling.
Don't you love how Broadway people always say the well done and call everyone darling.
Wonder how Lea is taking the news...
ReplyDeletesilly me, I thought Victor Hugo created this character.
ReplyDeleteI was hoping you were going to say that Jonas brother was going to replace Taylor. heh heh
ReplyDeleteEvery time I read about Taylor being cast I cringe a little. This is much better.
ReplyDeletemeh boring... I thought Shailene Woodley would be kinda good. if she can sing or maybe LANA DEL FAKE. lol.
ReplyDeleteAm I the only one that hates Lea's voice?!
ReplyDeleteWHY are they doing this movie AGAIN?
ReplyDeleteShocker...Hollywood didn't go all Hollywood.
ReplyDeleteI personally LOVE Lea's voice, but I don't find her even remotely attractive. I am very please about the decision to get rid of Taylor Swift. The director must have heard her sing finally, and realized she would destroy the movie for Les Miz followers everywhere.
I LOVE their new choice, even better than if it were Lea Michelle. Samantha looks more the part of Eponine than Lea Michelle. I wouldn't have been upset if Leah was chosen, but Samantha is an excellent choice. I also like that Samantha isn't as mainstream and isn't Hollywood.
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ReplyDeleteI thought Taylor hadn't been officially cast and was just considered the front runner, mostly by her own PR.
ReplyDeleteLOL - When everyone was saying "Lea", I was thinking they meant Lea Solanga, who has also played Eponine in the past and who has a beautiful voice. Silly me!
ReplyDeleteMy first thought when I read the headline was "Thank God!"
I'm happy for her, that's great! Taylor just wasn't the right choice at all, agreed.
ReplyDeleteTo quote @lord_voldemort7 :
ReplyDeleteI for-see a 'Les Misery' single. "They took my part & broke my heart..."
I think Taylor could have done it, but Samantha is an excellent choice. I hate to say it, but I'm a closeted Les Mis junkie who is totally looking forward to this movie.
ReplyDelete@kltx: Thank you!
ReplyDeleteThen again, Frances Ruffelle created the role in the musical, not the character in the novel.
ReplyDeleteI was thinking Lea Solanga as well. Didn't care for the jonas brother as Marius, bland bland bland.
ReplyDeleteLOVE Lea Salonga. She was in the original London cast of Miss Saigon (my other favorite) and did the singing voice for Disney's Jasmine and Disney's Mulan. Her voice is beautiful.
ReplyDeleteI don't know if I can deal with Les Mis in fake English accents. Or north American ones. I really don't mean offense by that but it's just not sitting well with me.
ReplyDeleteGreat, next Taylor writes a song about how the show dumped her.
ReplyDeleteThank God the producers saw the light. Les Mis is one of the best plays ever and Samantha was wonderful in the 25th Anniversary concert. Taylor Swift's whiney voice would have ruined the entire production and had Victor Hugo spinning in his grave.
ReplyDeleteThis is the best news I've heard all week. Swift is sweet but she kind of sucks.
ReplyDeleteIt's Sam BaRks! I think she got her start on a Britain's Got Talent show type of deal? Y/N?
ReplyDeleteTaylor Swift was never announced by anyone associated with the film, it was all just 'leaks' or whatever that she was being considered. Lea Michelle shoots Glee from January to the end of April and could never have made the shooting schedule.
ReplyDeleteSamantha Barks was a competitor on the casting show for Oliver (I think it was called 'Consider Yourself' or something like that). I don't think she won, but she did get other roles out of it, then ended up in Oliver anyway two years later. She looks like she could be very good for this role, and I am also glad it is not going to be Taylor Swift. she'd be much better in 'Sweet Valley High, the musical' or something like that.
FS, it was called I'd Do Anything. She came in third. And it was Cameron Mackintosh himself who came to the stage at the Oliver curtain call and told her the news.
ReplyDeletehttp://www.iomtoday.co.im/lifestyle/manx-entertainment-news/sam_barks_joy_at_hollywood_role_1_4211683
Apparently Frances Ruffelle will have a small part in the film as well. I saw her in London in Starlight Express back in the mid-80s, then as Eponine at the Kennedy Center before it went to Broadway. She was terrific in both.