Rumored since the end of the summer, we can now say it’s official: Anne Hathaway has joined the star-studded cast of Tom Hooper‘s “Les Miserables.”
With the big musical production gearing up to start shooting at the end of this year, a number of names been bandied about to join Hugh Jackman (as Jean Valjean) and Russell Crowe (as Inspector Jalvert) in the film. While Hathaway’s name rose to the top for the part of Fantine, Amy Adams and Rebecca Hall were also in the mix, but Hathaway has emerged with the part in what is sure to be one of the major Oscar contenders next fall. There are still more roles to be cast and among the names rumored — at least a few months ago anyway — included Hayden Panettiere, Miranda Cosgrove, Lucy Hale and Emma Watson vying for Eponine and Cosette and with Geoffrey Rush and Helena Bonham Carter reportedly lining up a re-team with “The King’s Speech” helmer to play the Thenardiers.
Anyway, Jackman, Crowe and Hathaway alone vault the project to the top of the Oscar pile, and we’ll see the results when the film opens on December 7, 2012. [Deadline]