'Les Miz' Film Announces More Controversial Casting

Taylor Swift

© Rick Diamond/Getty Images

As previously reported, the casting team of the upcoming film version of the iconic musical, Les Misérables, has made some interesting choices. It's not surprising they wanted "names" in the movie, but some of their casting is downright questionable.

Hugh Jackman being attached as "Valjean"l is no shock to thespians who know he's a tried and true song and dance man. Academy Award winner and rock band front man Russell Crowe as "Javert" was a bit of a stretch, but his acting ability may be able to save his performance.

Eyebrows were raised at Anne Hathaway being cast as "Fantine." But upon hearing Taylor Swift has been offered the role of "Eponine," pulses are racing (and not in a good way).

Les Misérables won several Tony Awards in 1987, with a number of songs becoming audition and performance standards, like "Eponine's" showstopper, "On My Own." This song is a tricky minefield of emotional choices, causing the singer to balance wistful tenderness with belted power. Swift has shown herself to sing off-pitch consistently on several award shows as well as "Dancing with the Stars." Let's just hope the producers don't think they can auto-tune her less-than-adequate voice when legitimate Broadway stars would be much more suitable.

Other "names" attached to the Les Miz film include Harry Potter's Helena Bonham Carter as "Madame Thenardier," comic Sacha Baron Cohen as "Thernardier," Eddie Redmayne as "Marius," and Broadway heartthrob Aaron Tveit as "Enjolras."