Taylor Swift Gets Coveted Role in "Les Miserables"

By Bianca Coombs, Christian Post Contributor Thursday, January 05, 2012

Taylor Swift has been offered a major role in the film adapted version of the musical “Les Miserables.”

The 22- year-old has reportedly beaten out the likes of several A-list actresses to play the role of Eponine in the adaptation. According to various reports, the country singer nabbed the role sought by actresses including Scarlett Johansson, Evan Rachel Wood, and Lea Michele.

Eponine is the spoiled daughter of crooked inn owners, Mr. and Mrs. Thernardier, which will be played by Sacha Baron Cohen and Helena Bonham Carter in the film. The character of Cosette has been offered to opera trained Amanda Seyfried of Mean Girls and Mamma Mia!, and Anne Hathaway will be playing the role of Fantine, Cosette’s mother.

In the small amount of acting roles she has had, including “Valentine's Day,” and a guest spot on "CSI" Swift has been no stranger to celebrity studded casts. In “Valentine’s Day” she starred alongside Oscar winning actors including Kathy Bates, Shirley Maclaine, Julia Roberts and Jamie Foxx. Also in the film was Swift’s then boyfriend Taylor Lautner of the Twilight Saga, Jessica Biel, Ashton Kutcher, Jessica Alba, and Jennifer Garnier.

The film didn’t gather very high ratings, and according to Yahoo movies, several critics bashed Swift’s performance.

"Some teen viewers may be drawn by the lure of the two Taylors, but their time onscreen together arguably reps the film's low point," wrote Todd McCarthy of Variety. "Swift, especially, seems entirely undirected, as she jumps around, makes faces and jabbers on inanely. If she's to have a film career, she needs to find a skilled director to tamp her down and channel her obviously abundant energy."

Time Out New York critic, Joshua Rothkopf, wrote: “Blond awards-magnet Taylor Swift reveals an unexpected gift for self-deprecating sunniness, chattering vacantly in an elevator to a stranger.”

While OK! Magazine which frequently features the singer said she is “no actress.”

“Les Miserables” is a musical adapted from the 1862 French novel by Victor Hugo and its Broadway adaptation has won several Tony awards. The film will be directed by Tom Hooper.