2012 Les Misérables Cast-Did You Miss These Performances?
2012 Les Misérables Cast
The 2012 film adaptation of Les Misérables, directed by Tom Hooper and released on December 25, 2012, in the United States, features a powerhouse ensemble cast led by Hugh Jackman as Jean Valjean, Russell Crowe as Inspector Javert, and Anne Hathaway as Fantine. This screen version of the iconic musical, based on Victor Hugo's 1862 novel, brought live-singing performances to the big screen, grossing over $441.8 million worldwide against a $61 million budget. Supporting roles include Eddie Redmayne as Marius Pontmercy, Amanda Seyfried as Cosette, and standout comedic turns by Sacha Baron Cohen and Helena Bonham Carter as the Thénardiers.
Main Cast List
Here is a complete breakdown of the principal actors and their corresponding roles in the 2012 Les Misérables film.
- Hugh Jackman as Jean Valjean: The ex-convict who transforms into a mayor and factory owner.
- Russell Crowe as Inspector Javert: The relentless lawman obsessed with recapturing Valjean.
- Anne Hathaway as Fantine: A desperate factory worker forced into prostitution to support her daughter.
- Amanda Seyfried as Cosette: Fantine's daughter, who grows into a beautiful young woman loved by Marius.
- Eddie Redmayne as Marius Pontmercy: A revolutionary student who falls in love with Cosette.
- Sacha Baron Cohen as Thénardier: The scheming, greedy innkeeper.
- Helena Bonham Carter as Madame Thénardier: Thénardier's equally conniving wife.
- Samantha Barks as Éponine Thénardier: The tragic daughter of the Thénardiers, pining for Marius.
- Aaron Tveit as Enjolras: The charismatic leader of the student revolutionaries.
- Daniel Huttlestone as Gavroche: The brave street urchin who aids the rebels.
This lineup was announced progressively from 2011, with Jackman cast first on February 24, 2011, setting the stage for an all-star production.
Supporting Cast Highlights
Beyond the leads, the film boasted a rich ensemble of supporting actors portraying revolutionaries, convicts, and townsfolk, many drawn from West End and Broadway productions of the musical.
- Colm Wilkinson as the Bishop of Digne: The compassionate cleric who inspires Valjean's redemption.
- Isabelle Allen as Young Cosette: The abused child rescued by Valjean.
- Natalya Wallace as Young Éponine: Éponine's childhood counterpart.
- Bertie Carvel as Bamatabois: A courtroom antagonist.
- George Blagden as Grantaire: A skeptical member of the student group.
- Killian Donnelly as Combeferre, Fra Fee as Courfeyrac, and others as fellow revolutionaries.
Smaller roles featured talents like Frances Ruffelle as a prostitute and Daniel Huttlestone's memorable Gavroche, contributing to the film's immersive barricade scenes filmed in Winchester, England, starting June 2012.
Key Production Facts
Principal photography for Les Misérables began on March 26, 2012, in Gourdon, France, capturing the story's 19th-century French settings authentically. The innovative "one-shot" singing technique, where actors performed live on set to playback piano, resulted in 190 hours of footage, edited down to the final 158-minute runtime. Director Tom Hooper, fresh off an Oscar for The King's Speech, prioritized emotional rawness, as evidenced by Hathaway's single-take rendition of "I Dreamed a Dream," recorded on May 8, 2012.
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Timeline of Casting
- February 24, 2011: Hugh Jackman confirmed as Jean Valjean after rigorous auditions.
- March 2011: Russell Crowe joins as Javert, bringing his rock musician background to the role.
- June 2011: Anne Hathaway cast as Fantine, shaving her head for the part on the first day of filming.
- July-August 2011: Eddie Redmayne, Aaron Tveit, and Samantha Barks fill romantic and revolutionary leads.
- September 2011: Sacha Baron Cohen and Helena Bonham Carter signed for the Thénardiers, adding dark humor.
- November 2011: Child actors Isabelle Allen and Daniel Huttlestone selected after 7,000 auditions.
This sequential casting built hype, with the full ensemble revealed in an official video on May 10, 2012.
Cast Table: Roles and Awards
| Actor | Role | Notable Awards/Nominations (2013 Oscars) | Previous Experience |
|---|---|---|---|
| Hugh Jackman | Jean Valjean | Nominated: Best Actor | Wolverine films; Tony for The Boy from Oz |
| Russell Crowe | Inspector Javert | Nominated: Best Supporting Actor (Critics' Choice) | Gladiator Oscar winner |
| Anne Hathaway | Fantine | Won: Best Supporting Actress | The Devil Wears Prada; Princess Diaries |
| Eddie Redmayne | Marius Pontmercy | N/A | West End Les Mis; My Week with Marilyn |
| Amanda Seyfried | Cosette | N/A | Mamma Mia!; Mean Girls |
| Sacha Baron Cohen | Thénardier | Nominated: Best Supporting Actor | Borat; Hugo |
| Helena Bonham Carter | Madame Thénardier | Nominated: Best Supporting Actress | Harry Potter; The King's Speech Oscar nom |
| Samantha Barks | Éponine | N/A | West End Éponine for 2+ years |
| Aaron Tveit | Enjolras | N/A | Next to Normal on Broadway |
| Daniel Huttlestone | Gavroche | Nominated: Young Artist Award | Debut feature role |
The film's cast collectively earned 12 Oscar nominations, winning 3, including Hathaway's emotional triumph, validated by a 69% critic score on Rotten Tomatoes from 285 reviews.
Behind-the-Scenes Insights
Actors underwent intensive vocal training; Eddie Redmayne took lessons for three months to embody Marius Pontmercy, while Samantha Barks reprised her stage role seamlessly. Filming wrapped on June 23, 2012, after barricade sequences that involved 100 extras and practical sets weighing 4 tons. Hooper's vision emphasized close-ups, averaging 3.5 minutes per shot in musical numbers, a departure from traditional post-recorded singing.
"I wanted the emotion to be as raw as possible. The actors singing live gave us something magical." - Director Tom Hooper, in a December 2012 Variety interview.
Critical Reception of Performances
Anne Hathaway's Fantine earned universal acclaim, with Roger Ebert awarding her performance 4/4 stars on December 19, 2012, calling it "heartbreaking." Hugh Jackman's Valjean showcased vocal range across 19 years of character arc, hitting notes up to high C in "Bring Him Home." Russell Crowe's Javert divided critics-praised for intensity but critiqued for vocals-yet his "Stars" solo resonated live.
Box Office and Legacy Stats
Opening weekend hauled $27.1 million domestically; global tally hit $441.8 million by March 2013. Soundtrack sales topped 5.3 million by 2014, with "Suddenly" peaking at #1 on US Bubbling Under charts. The cast's chemistry boosted the musical's relevance, influencing revivals worldwide.
- Academy Awards: 3 wins from 14 noms (Best Supporting Actress, Production Design, Sound Mixing).
- Golden Globes: 3 wins (Hathaway, Cohen/Bonham Carter duo, Soundtrack).
- BAFTA: 2 noms, including Makeup/Hair for transformations.
- Grammy: Best Compilation Soundtrack (2014).
Trivia and Fun Facts
Daniel Huttlestone, at age 12, stole scenes as Gavroche, earning a 2013 Young Artist Award nomination. The film's 650+ VFX shots included digital crowds for the barricade. Eddie Redmayne's audition featured "Empty Chairs at Empty Tables," impressing Hooper on sight. Helena Bonham Carter and Sacha Baron Cohen improvised much of "Master of the House," filmed at Bath's historic assembly rooms.
| Fact | Details | Impact |
|---|---|---|
| Live Singing | Actors sang on-camera to piano | 190 hours footage; raw emotion |
| Filming Locations | Gourdon, Winchester, Boulogne | Authentic 19th-century France vibe |
| Budget vs. Gross | $61M budget; $441.8M gross | 7x ROI; sequel buzz |
| Child Casting | 7,000 kids auditioned | Allen/Wallace selected |
| Head Shave | Hathaway's on Day 1 | Iconic "I Dreamed a Dream" moment |
In summary, the 2012 Les Misérables cast delivered performances that elevated the adaptation to awards glory, with Hathaway's Oscar anchoring its legacy 13 years on as of 2026.
Helpful tips and tricks for 2012 Les Miserables Cast Did You Miss These Performances
Who Was the Highest-Paid Actor?
Hugh Jackman commanded the top salary at $15 million, reflecting his star power and central role, followed by Crowe at $11 million and Hathaway at $10 million, per industry estimates from The Hollywood Reporter dated November 20, 2012.
Did Any Actors Perform on Stage Before?
Yes, several brought Broadway or West End pedigree: Samantha Barks played Éponine in London for over 1,000 performances, Aaron Tveit led as Enjolras on stage, and Colm Wilkinson originated Valjean on Broadway in 1987.
What Was Anne Hathaway's Transformation Like?
Hathaway lost 25 pounds and shaved her head on camera for Fantine's decline, a commitment that moved audiences and clinched her Oscar on February 24, 2013.
Who Played Young Cosette and Éponine?
Isabelle Allen portrayed Young Cosette, discovered via open casting, while Natalya Wallace played Young Éponine; both delivered poignant performances in the film's opening "Castle on a Cloud" sequence.
Revolutionary Roles Breakdown?
The student rebels included Aaron Tveit (Enjolras), Eddie Redmayne (Marius), George Blagden (Grantaire), Killian Donnelly (Combeferre), Fra Fee (Courfeyrac), Alistair Brammer (Jean Prouvaire), Gabriel Vick (Feuilly), and Iwan Lewis (Bahorel), filmed amid real rain for authenticity.