Russell Crowe News

The theatre community already can't wait for the Tom Hooper-helmed big screen version of LES MIS. Newest to the cast is Samantha Barks who will play Eponine in the film. She joins the previously announced Hugh Jackman as Jean Valjean, Russell Crowe as Javert, Sacha Baron Cohen as Thenardier, Eddie Redmayne as Marius, Aaron Tveit as Enjolras, Amanda Seyfried as Cosette, Anne Hathaway as Fantine and Helena Bonham Carter as Madame Thenardier.

Theatre fans everywhere are already itching to see Les Misérables brought to the big screen, and though the film isn't due to hit theatres until December 7, rehearsals have already begun for the new movie. Hugh Jackman, who will play Valjean in the film just tweeted the below photo, saying: 'what an honour...singing a new song with the composer, claude michel, at rehearsals for les mis!'

One of the foremost male pop stars of the last twenty years is undeniably 'Livin' La Vida Loca' crooner Ricky Martin, so his deigning of appearing on next week's GLEE as a new Spanish teacher, David Martinez, is a cause celebre for fans of the Latin superstar, GLEE, or, even, for those who follow the artists whom he covers on the episode - LMFAO's 'Sexy And I Know It' and, the Queen of Pop herself, Madonna. Recalling the golden days of television when hit parade variety shows would cover top chart hits when they were fresh and new, Ricky Martin tackling Madonna two days after the Super Bowl - with, supposedly, a LMFAO cameo occurring during her highly anticipated performance on Sunday - and taking on one of the year's biggest songs so far, 'Sexy And I Know It', is pop culture must-see TV if there ever were any. Ricky Martin and Madonna are undeniably two of the most theatrical pop culture mainstays of the last few decades and their collective media super-blitz thanks to Martin's GLEE appearance and Madonna's Super Bowl performance is encapsulated perfectly in Martin's essaying of Madonna's classic caliente pop hit, 'La Isla Bonita'. Both Martin and Madonna can certainly command a stage - and an audience of thousands; or, even, millions, as they shall both prove yet again on Sunday and Tuesday, respectively - so, let's take a look at what we can look forward to from these two entertainment icons as we enter one of the most celebratory weekends of the year. First down!

The theatre community already can't wait for the Tom Hooper-helmed big screen version of LES MIS. Newest to the cast is Samantha Barks who will play Eponine in the film. She joins the previously announced Hugh Jackman as Jean Valjean, Russell Crowe as Javert, Sacha Baron Cohen as Thenardier, Eddie Redmayne as Marius, Aaron Tveit as Enjolras, Amanda Seyfried as Cosette, Anne Hathaway as Fantine and Helena Bonham Carter as Madame Thenardier.

Aunque recientemente se anunció que la cantante Taylor Swift interpretaría el papel de Eponine en la adaptación cinematográfica de Los Miserables, finalmente será la actriz de musicales Samantha Barks quien dé vida al personaje en la gran pantalla, tal y como ha confirmado el propio Cameron Mackintosh.

Samantha Barks is set to play Eponine in the film version of Les Miserables - the role she played at the 25th anniversary concert.

Actor George Blagden has joined the star-studded cast of the upcoming LES MISÉRABLES film adaptation as Grantaire, reports Variety today.

Este año, en la esperada versión cinematográfica de Los Miserables, Colm Wilkinson - que estrenó el espectáculo en octubre de 1985 como Jean Valjean - y Frances Ruffelle - la Eponine original - participarán en la película protagonizada por Hugh Jackman y Samantha Barks que interpretarán esos papeles respectivamente.

Les Misérables originally opened in London at the Barbican Theatre on 8 October 1985, transferred to the Palace Theatre on 4 December 1985 and moved to its current home at the Queen's Theatre on 3 April 2004. When the show opened, it featured Colm Wilkinson as Jean Valjean and Frances Ruffelle as Eponine.

Argentinian star Gerónimo Rauch, who is currently playing Jean Valjean at BTM in the Spanish production of Les Misérables in Barcelona, will repeat the role in the London production starting June 18th.

Earlier this month, BWW reported first that country songstress Taylor Swift will play Eponine in the upcoming LES MISERABLES film, and though an official casting announcement has not yet been made, it seems that Swift is indeed a part of the cast. According to recent published reports, Swift is currently in rehearsals for the movie London.

While announced in multiple spots online last month, the ink is now dry on his contract and Broadway star Aaron Tveit is now officially Enjolras in the upcoming film of LES MISERABLES.

The latest in unauthorized gossip and buzz from the heart of Chicago's showtune video bars, and musical theater news from Chicago to Broadway. Russell Crowe's Chicago vocal coach, a hot new Broadway star, three productions at the North Shore Center, 'Show Boat,' Jessie and Darren's dreams come true and more....

Actor Idris Elba has confirmed to MTV News that he will reprise his role of the Norse god Heimdall in THOR 2, the sequel to the 2011 Marvel Comic's film. In an interview with MTV, the actor revealed, 'Thor 2 for sure. We're going at it again.'

First time Actor(R) nominees Kyle Chandler, Judy Greer, Maya Rudolph and Octavia Spencer will be presenters at the 18th Annual Screen Actors Guild Awards(R), Executive Producer Jeff Margolis announced today.

Tony winner Eddie Redmayne is gearing up to star in the much-anticipated film version of LES MISERABES, and he's now meeting his upcoming costars. In the video below, Redmayne chats about meeting Amanda Seyfried, Helena Bonham Carter, and more!

Eddie Redmayne has revealed to the BBC that he is in 'hardcore singing lessons' ready for his role as Marius in Tom Hooper's movie version of Les Miserables.

With all the hooplah surrounding the casting of Taylor Swift, who has yet to be officially announced, in the upcoming big screen adaptation of Les Miserables, it seemed like the perfect time to show off a Youtube treasure of the original Tony-winning Eponine, Frances Ruffelle. In the video below, Rufelle sings the strret urchin's anthem, 'On My Own.' Click below to check it out!

The latest in unauthorized gossip and buzz from the heart of Chicago's showtune video bars, and musical theater news from Chicago to Broadway. 'Les Miserables,' 'Smash,' Idina Menzel, 'Come Fly Away,' 'Jersey Shore,' 'Legally Blonde,' Rogers Park theater history and more....

The ultra-starry cast for the upcoming feature film version of the international smash musical sensation LES MISERABLES finally got one step closer to finding its Eponine and Cossette this week, as offers have gone out to pop music superstar Taylor Swift and breakout screen starlet Amanda Seyfried for the hotly anticipated Tom Hooper adaptation of the tuner which will also star Hugh Jackman and Russell Crowe as Jean Valjean and Javert, respectively, Anne Hathaway as Fantine and Tony-winner Eddie Redmayne as Marius. While Seyfried is perhaps best known to Broadway babies for her lovable and memorable turn in the role of Meryl Streep's daughter in the ABBA jukebox movie musical MAMMA MIA!, Swift has displayed her ample affection for all things theatrical with her recent Broadway-themed SPEAK NOW tour as well as her memorable appearance on SATURDAY NIGHT LIVE and on concert stages around the world. Both ladies certainly have the musical chops to take on these much-beloved Broadway roles - even if the soundtrack is to actually be recorded live on set, as the director himself has confirmed he intends to do - and, while neither Swift nor Seyfried has been officially confirmed by the producers as of this writing, both appear to more than merely satisfy the complex casting necessities for the standout roles and the overall younger-sided casting of the feature film adaptation so far. Yet, no matter how fantastic they may turn out to be in the finished final film, it sure will be difficult to manage to make much of an impression with a cast as impossibly accomplished as the one assembled for this film up until now - Jackman, Crowe, Hathaway, Redmayne, Aaron Tveit, Helena Bonham Carter and Sacha Baron Cohen included! Plus, who knows what new musical numbers Alain Boublil and Claude-Michel Shonberg are cooking up - and what characters shall sing them?! Whatever comes to pass, Christmas 2012 will be all about LES MISERABLES: THE MOVIE MUSICAL for Broadway babies everywhere - many of whom who have been waiting for this moment (and this movie) to arrive for over 20 years! Let's hope it was worth the wait! Until then, we have this look and listen to what made these ladies oh-so right for the roles. After all, less than 360 days remain until the big 24601!