Samantha Barks Chosen To Play Eponine In 'Les Miserables' Film

SAMANTHA BARKS has beaten out a host of names to take one of the top roles in the upcoming film adaptation of the classic play 'Les Miserables.' There's much anticipation for the film, scheduled for release at the end of the year, and the cast announced so far was already mouth-watering enough with Hugh Jackman, Russell Crowe, Amanda Seyfried, Anne Hathaway and Eddie Redmayne all confirmed for the Tom Hopper-directed flick.

Now Empire Online reports that Barks will be playing the role of Eponine, daughter of the greedy Thenardiers - who are rumoured to be being played by Helen Bonham Carter and Sacha Baron Cohen. Her selection comes straight out of left field, with the 21 year-old possessing little in the way of major film acting credits in her career so far. She's best known for coming third in the BBC talent show 'I'd Do Anything' which aired in 2008 and saw a number of contestants compete to play the role of Nancy in the West End production of the British musical 'Oliver!'

Since then she's made solid progression on the stage, including playing Eponine in a stage production of 'Les Miserables' between June of 2010 and 2011, including portraying the role at the show's 25th anniversary show at the huge 02 Arena in London. Nevertheless though, the silver screen is an entirely different proposition to theatre work and only time will tell whether the relative unknown will have what it takes.