Taylor Swift has reportedly been offered the role of Eponine in Tom Hooper's new "Les Miserables" movie, beating out more established actors including Lea Michele, Scarlett Johansson and Evan Rachel Wood. Opinion on the street (Broadway, of course) is mixed.
Pennsylvanian Molly Washok, 17, is very pleased with the prospect of seeing Swift as Eponine on the big screen. "I seriously love 'Les Miz.' It's a great Broadway musical," she said. "And I've seen Taylor Swift in shows and I love her so much. I'm a big fan of both, so it makes me excited."
Long Islander Katie Kendrick, 20, is also a fan of Ms. Swift but not as certain of her chops. "I love Taylor Swift — I bought her CDs, I have everything. But I'm not sure she'll be able to hit those notes that Eponine hits in her songs," Kendrick said.
If she's cast in "Les Miserables," Swift will join a group of A-list actors that includes Hugh Jackman, Helena Bonham Carter, Russell Crowe and Anne Hathaway. (Amanda Seyfried has reportedly been offered the role of Cosette.) Among these veterans, Kendrick noted, Swift would stand out as the novice.
"Taylor Swift has only been in one movie and it was 'Valentine's Day,' where she had a role for 10 minutes, tops. And all these other actors have been in numerous roles. They're very well known in the acting industry while Taylor Swift is known in the singing industry," she said. "I wish her luck, but I'm not sure she'll be able to live up to the expectations that have been set previously."
Keely Kwok, 21, from Hamilton, Ontario, is willing to give Swift the benefit of the doubt. "She does have an incredible voice, I'll give her that," Kwok said. "It's a really great musical, so I hope she can pull it off."
Twenty-one-year-old New Yorker Julia Menn was less diplomatic in her assessment of Swift's credentials. "There are so many better people to play that part," Menn said. "I'd prefer Evan Rachel Wood, actually. I think she'd be fantastic."
So would Menn see a Wood-less "Les Miserables" when it hits theaters this December? "Well, since Hugh Jackman's in it, yes, I would."