Interview: 'Les Miserables' stars Eddie Redmayne and Samantha Barks

RedEye's Matt Pais sits down with the musical's stars at the Peninsula Hotel in Chicago.

[@FreakForFilmScore]

I am literally addicted to Samantha Barks' voice. Not even the SINGING voice. Just her talking voice. Unggh.

[@jbezoarjr5269]

Yep. I’ve got a little crush 🤪

[@georginafegan]

As much as I love Taylor Swift, I am soooo happy she didn't get cast as Eponine! First of all, she would have been far too well-known for such a role. Secondly, I may get hate for this, but I don't think she's all that great of an actress. I'm definitely not saying I'm any better, but compared to Samantha Barks, she's average. Also, I love Taylor's voice, but it's average and wouldn't be ideal for a musical/film such as Les Miserables.

[@rachlejoy4093]

I totally agree 100% with everything you just said!

[@KellySwiftChance]

Georgina Fegan I'm a Swifty and I gotta agree with you. I don't think she suits the role at all and her acting isn't that good.

[@thomashumphreys1347]

Amazing person very healthy

[@nataliejaggi387]

Georgina Fegan She's not that great a singer either. Eponine should be a strong voice and Samantha's is a good fit

[@andykenny9101]

I totally agree. She isn't even that great of a singer so she just needs to stick to pop because I reckon if she was in a musical as dramatic as this one, she would have completely ruined it. She doesn't have the powerful and moving voice that eponine needs

[@CrystalandPals]

The way that Samantha looks at Eddie is very sweet. She has a light in her eyes and I can tell she thinks of him and a really great person

[@jodie3950]

Eponine's heartbreak leaves me in a pool of tears every time I watch LES MIS, so it makes me feel tons better to see these two enjoying themselves and having a jolly good time.

[@rubytuesday1163]

Samantha barks is like the loveliest person ever

[@Jujupig8]

If taylor swift would've gotten cast as eponine, I would've thought it was a movie to make fun of les mis. That would've been a complete joke. Sam was perfect!!

[@sophier7752]

I literally love how they're having so much fun and the interviewer looks like he's having a terrible time! haha

[@zaraguler6426]

Im glad Taylor Swift wasn't cast as Eponine. Thank God. Samantha was perfect.

[@mackenzieanderson2115]

taylor swift in les mis the movie would probably be like nick Jonas was in the 25th anniversary not bad per say but really out of place

[@Mel-ij3hq]

+mackenzie anderson Exactly, pop singers can't do musicals it just doesn't sound right

[@mackenzieanderson2115]

+Melissa Smith well not always there are some times it works but so often the styles of pop and Broadway don't mesh at all

[@Mel-ij3hq]

mackenzie anderson Yep, I agree

[@sayorisucks8132]

mackenzie anderson yep

[@jonothandoeser]

Why is the interviewer SWEATING LIKE A PIG??!!!

[@itamixsama]

He's... a pretty terrible interviewer. Just didn't seem very integrated with Eddie and Samantha, but they were really good sports and made it quite enjoyable.

[@jonothandoeser]

"So how long could you rap everything you said to one another?" "Well, there's not a lot of rapping in Les Mis..." (dead pan face) "Yeah so... how long do you think you could do it though?"

[@katyhoyle7216]

I met Samantha after I saw her in Oliver a couple of weeks ago, she is literally one of the nicest people (and so beautiful in real life). I'm sure I'd be pissed off if someone was pestering me after I'd been on stage for three hours but she was so down to earth and she gave me singing advice! She so deserves all her success :)

[@caroline456]

Samantha’s response to the question about beating Taylor Swift was so awesome and mature. What a queen. Also would LOVE to see Taylor’s audition tape 😂

[@abialston8476]

apply rapping to Les Mis and you get the French version of Hamilton starring Enjolras as Alexander Hamilton

[@daniells8533]

YESS!!

[@viktoriaf.1191]

Abi Alston YESSSS OMG!!!

[@rivermicah]

I love these two to no end. They're beautiful people

[@km-ql1xi]

I glad Taylor didn't get to be Eponnie, not that I don't LOVE her. Sam is PERFECT!

[@sararivas956]

Eponine*

[@georgeofhamilton]

Eponymous*

[@Thefluff99]

They are both really charming.

[@KellyKellyMickieJfan]

I literally fell in love with Marius when I saw Les Mis. I dont think i ever thought that I would love the freckles on someone's face as much as I did; they give so much character to Eddie (not saying he doesn't already have character....). I would cry if I could meet him..

[@charissecoal]

I'd actually pay a hundred bucks for a copy of taylor's audition video. i'm assuming that because it was a fail, all traces of it has been completely destroyed

[@chelbeytrump2744]

charissecoal i found it

[@rhitmakemala]

can i get the link?

[@georgeofhamilton]

According to this, she was actually offered the role: www.mtv.com/news/1676763/taylor-swift-les-miserables-reactions/ That's a little weird, though, because in a later article by them, they said that Samantha Barks won the role over her, so I don't really understand what exactly is going on. According to this source, Eddie Redmayne said that Taylor's audition was great, but I'm sure he wouldn't say that it was anything less than great: time.com/4574972/eddie-redmayne-taylor-swift/

[@sofiaguerrero0969]

I’m kind of irritated that Taylor is trying so hard to become an actress. She’s a phenomenal songwriter but acting isn’t her thing. She sucked in cats

[@IzzyTheGerbil]

I love it when Eddie says 'SERIOUS ANGST' Brilliant!

[@klawis]

I wanna see Eddie singing Bohemian Rhapsody... That was my most favorite song ever!!!!

[@eleonoramustafaeva1303]

Iodine Cerium omg same

[@meh201]

I NEED TO SE SAM, AMANDA AND ANNE IN TEH KARAOKE NIGHT!!

[@janie3094]

gosh, theyre both just so perfect.

[@TubaMaverick]

Samantha Barks is GORGEOUS. Just throwing that out there

[@rileyjohnson5091]

Her dimples >>>

[@IactuallyShitRainbow]

Aaaaand the waist mystery is solved. Seriosuly, it's been killing me.

[@malloryfallon6394]

YESSSSS!! It’s been KILLING ME!!!!

[@meerizy1264]

@@malloryfallon6394 sameee hahaha

[@wildmucus]

These two are brilliant together. Best interview I've seen in the last year.

[@Ladyrocksavage]

These two are so underrated and in my opinion made me love the movie more than I thought I would. Hugh and Anne are ok, but these two deserve more recognition!

[@iLuVmUsIc4evalol]

OHMYGERD I lose it when he mentions singing a love song and he touches the back of her chair. The feels. THE FEELS. ...I'm sorry XD Fangirl mode.

[@juilesmacd101]

You understand me!! They make me so happy and I want them together. 😫😅

[@tracy2919]

Her and I have a similar face shape and seeing how beautiful she is makes me feel so much better about myself c:

[@jordannichols3060]

They could have everyone in the world audition and not find a better eponine Sam is UNBELIEVABLE

[@sgauden02]

With all due respect for Emma Watson, who else thinks Samantha Banks would've been an incredible Belle in the live action Beauty And The Beast 2017?

[@hayleyorsellia]

I totally agree with this!

[@gl012y13]

OMGGG I thought i was the only one annoyed by his expressionless-uninterested interviewing skills... Good thing they seemed to just enjoy themselves! Samantha Barks!!! Beautiful & she surely did her part SO amazingly!

[@tracy2919]

I always thought her waist looked really small! That explains it!

[@alexatorres4382]

OMG Samantha is so sweet. Eddie and Samantha would be like the greatest couple ever ! And I love the way that they call Anne Hathaway "Annie", that's so sweet !

[@Elizabethfreeborn]

Marius in a corset😂

[@daniells8533]

I would pay to see that

[@zoharsarig9474]

wash and wear? Watch the danish girl lol

[@loveesTokioHotel]

Eponine is my favourite character in the film and I was extremely happy with Sam. She's really great.

[@user-hy4mo4bg1o]

Did you know that Samantha was in Les Miserables in 2010. She's the only one who reprised her role in the movie.

[@martinpatrick9915]

She was in the west end production of Oliver when Mr Mack announced she was chosen for the role of Eponine in the movie.

[@xxemmydkxx01]

im happy for samantha i swear if eponine was played by taylor swift les mis wouldnt be dramatic and it would just feel like some disney movie....

[@tahinasmith3035]

Eddie is perfect! And he cannot sit still haha!

[@animationmusicals]

These two are too precious for this world I can't-

[@RileyFreeman8]

Marius is like....Damn, picked the wrong girl.

[@725singer]

they would be so perfect together! they get along so well! and its not awkward between them!

[@natalied1844]

I know he's married but I thinks he's got a little crush on her 😂🙂

[@avahendricks130]

Me, too

[@lhernandez3352]

late comment/ he probably did have a crush on her back then, because he got married in 2014 and this video was made in 2012

[@natalied1844]

still got hope lol but hes having a kid

[@KanadeLapis]

you can be married and STILL have a crush on people

[@obtainthisyeast9835]

riley minkus I think we all have a little crush on sam tbh

[@vsw37]

They were great in the movie and I love them both here too.

[@TheEvilsquiril]

Absolutely adore these two together! And her little giggle before she laughs at 1:10 is too cute :')

[@nelliec3137]

taylor swift for eponine? good lord..

[@fatalforty]

Samantha you make me smile. :-)

[@AliaRosedreamer]

That was quite honestly the most amusing thing I've ever seen. Sam cracks me up.

[@JP-dt1hh]

I feel like Taylor Swift wanted to audition just so that she gets to sing another heart break song (on my own) XD

[@gorgeousjai]

Both are my new celeb crushes... adore them together!

[@Sarahik695]

Sam is perfect I wouldn't want anyone else playing the role other than her :)

[@peacemusichorses]

Eddie Redmayne is beautiful.

[@neiveynoo]

As a Taylor fan I do agree I'd prefer Sam as Eponine. I think Amanda and Taylor look very similar so perhaps Cosette?

[@iam_A10]

neiveeee✨ Not even Cosette. In order to get that part, you need to have that "opera quality". No offence, but Taylor's voice is on a different category - which isn't bad at all

[@lynseycollins7162]

Agreed

[@KanadeLapis]

Taylor looks nothing like Amanda Amanda is GORGEOUS

[@valeriabk2383]

Love me some Eddie Redmayne! Love how he explains the karaoke thing!!

[@danamackay841]

Taylor Swift as Eponine? Only in her WILDEST DREAMS!! Hahaha!! Just me? Ok....

[@SA-kp5ot]

It's Katy perry

[@danamackay841]

+Sophia Anthousis What's Katy Perry?

[@KanadeLapis]

OMG GOOD ONE

[@danamackay841]

+Kanade Lapis thank you! I try

[@rindarling]

5 points to slytherin

[@kayad719]

am I the only one who ship them?

[@gabyw-f9657]

Um no high five Gurl👌🏻🙋🏼

[@kayad719]

+Smiley Gaby hahaha✋✋

[@gabyw-f9657]

+Kaya D yassss

[@klawis]

HI. hahahahahah

[@malloryfallon6394]

THE WAY THEY LOOK AT EACH OTHER THO

[@CarpeDiem262]

This is my favorite interview ever

[@NobodyinParticular77]

'Chastised by other actors....' and now he's an Oscar winner

[@MrZola1234]

Samantha Barks is so dreamy. When she was doing Katie Perry with the dat dat dat a dah.... so cute!

[@alexstafford1196]

can we just talk about Sam's dimple please

[@ptolover7]

I cannot be the only person who ships them. And no, it's nothing to do with their characters in the movie. He keeps leaning over closer to her, and the way she looks at him...Okay they would be perfect and no one can convince me otherwise.

[@cbak12sg]

This is the second film in which Eddie Redmayne's character has fallen for a blonde woman over a better looking brunette. Michelle Williams oiver Emma Watson, now Amanda Seyfried over Samantha Barks!

[@faithperez7281]

It's the opposite in fantastic beasts!

[@nikkimanlow7980]

The way Sam answered the question about Taylor Swift was so amazing.

[@TheLittleFrenchy2]

Thanks Sam ! I know have Wide Awake stuck in my head ! ;)

[@anistonkemmerer]

eddy redmayne is so adorable oml

[@EmilyJohnson5]

I wish they were together!!

[@spunkymonkey234]

I love her hair. It looks so elegant.

[@nope.13]

Awww!! they're both just so cute!!!

[@kenderette8]

She seems nice and very dedicated - love her accent - his too - both amazing in Les Mis

[@ShostakovichViolin]

The best actors/singers in the movie by far!

[@DragonPrincessAoife]

Sam's whole 'Wake Awake' bit was brilliant. I love her beyond belief, she's too perfect.

[@christianmarshall3439]

I LOVE HER SO MUCH. I can't express in words.

[@abbyaltenberger9688]

Sam is so awesome! I love her dimples! She sacrificed a lot for this film, I'm so glad Taylor Swift didn't get this part.

[@chloena1]

That sounds like the most awesome combination.

[@KaylynGrace]

I just wanna be best friends with them and sing songs all day

[@AdventuresofFatward]

They are so adorable! I love them!!!

[@zarcilla82]

Eddie Redmayne is Charming!!

[@xST4RxGIRLx]

The interviewer doesnt even need to be there I'd just be happy watching them have a conversation together!

[@imustbeforeign]

I lalalalalove Eddie Redmayne & Samantha Barks so much omg.

[@tony675434]

Holy fuck. Do you see how deep Sam's dimples are. wow.

[@endelyngrenfell-muir6701]

I love Eponine she’s my favorite character in les mis

[@BellaRagzza13]

they laugh so adorablely..

[@roonilwazlib3703]

I ship them

[@rachelshannon2951]

ahaha my two favourite character and actors! yay!

[@malloryfallon6394]

since he wasn’t married in 2012 I’m allowed to say that he definitely has a lil crush on her and I ship it HARDD

[@Ejae97]

Aww! They're so sweet! Wish i could meet them!

[@HotelEntropy]

'It's not like this, she has got words to it.' Brilliant.

[@lilmizj9685]

ewwwww im so happpyy samantha got role role shes amazing!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! no taylor swifttt

[@Benkoolest]

both of them are just beautiful human beings :)

[@TheEvilsquiril]

These are two are so adorable and so talented!!!

[@iloveonedirection747]

God they're just perfect together. I ship

[@futuremovieactor]

now she's got it stuck in MY head!

[@lineandersen9742]

Those two are just amazing! Feels!

[@TrappedOnAnIsland]

Smiled like the whole way through

[@TheEvilsquiril]

even that little section she sang sounded great, how?!?! :D

[@gabyw-f9657]

You can slowly see Essie's face go back pale after he's been laughing😂

[@gabyw-f9657]

Eddie's*

[@daisyannedickson6826]

this video is my favourite video in the universe-

[@laurenmummert745]

I think Eddie is soooooo awesome

[@tracy2919]

EDDIE LIKES KARAOKING TO MEATLOAF I'M DEAD

[@sarahmere8363]

"I'm wide awake, da dana danana" i dont even no the song.. its going to be stuck in my head all night now... ;) best interview ive see of sam :)