Glee’s Lea Michele knocked a recent audition to play Eponine in the all-star movie adaptation of Les Miserables “out of the park” according to the New York Post. Michele is reportedly going up against Scarlett Johansson, Evan Rachel Wood and Taylor Swift for the coveted role in the film musical, which will begin filming in February 2012, directed by Oscar winner Tom Hooper. A source told The Post that Johansson “brings acting credibility and can really sing,” and Wood “brings her indie cred.”
Michele has a long history with Les Miserables: She played the role of Young Cosette in the original Broadway production and Eponine in the 2008 Hollywood Bowl concert staging.
Already cast in the Les Miz film are Hugh Jackman as Jean Valjean, Russell Crowe as Inspector Javert, Anne Hathaway as Fantine, Eddie Redmayne as Marius, and Geoffrey Rush as Thenardier. In addition to Eponine, the role of Cosette has yet to be cast.