George Blagden Signs On to Play Grantaire in LES MISERABLES Film

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

Blagden is a newcomer to film, with just two notable previous credits under his belt: Wrath of the Titans, starring Liam Neeson and Sam Worthington, and the independent film The Philosophers. The actor is no stranger to theatre roles, however: a singer since age 13, at Oundle's Stahl Theatre his roles included Marc in ART and The Baker in INTO THE WOODS.

Blagden attended Guildhall School of Music & Drama, where he took on Richard, Duke of York in RICHARD III, Dionysus in THE BACCHAE and Astrov in UNCLE VANYA; this September he appeared in 'Opening Doors,' a selection of new musical theatre writing at the Soho Theatre in London.

Les Miserables 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 LES MISÉRABLES celebrated its 21st London birthday on 8 October 2006, it became the World's Longest Running Musical, surpassing the record previously held by "Cats" in London's West End. In January 2010, the West End production broke another record by celebrating its historic 10,000th performance.

The film, under the direction of Tom Hooper, intends to feature all of its stars singing live on film. Blagden joins the previously reported Hugh Jackman as Jean Valjean, Russell Crowe as Javert, Sacha Baron Cohen as Thernardier, Eddie Redmayne as Marius, Aaron Tveit as Enjolras, Amanda Seyfried as Cosette, Samantha Barks as Eponine, Anne Hathaway as Fantine and Helena Bonham Carter as Madame Thenardier.

LES MISÉRABLES is slated for a December 7, 2012 release.