Sacha Baron Cohen Joins ‘Les Miserables’

The cast of Les Misérables continues to grow as comedian and transformational character artists Sacha Baron Cohen has agreed to take on the story's major comic relief role, Monsieur Thenardier.

The role of the inkeeper will put Baron Cohen alongside Helena Bonham Carter, who plays the madame. It had previously been rumored that Bonham Carter's The King's Speech co-star Geoffrey Rush was going to take the role. No matter, the two "BCs" should prove excellent together singing "Master of the House," the story's much needed break in the tension. 

Oscar winner Tom Hooper's follow-up to The King's Speech already boasts Hugh Jackman and Russell Crowe as Jean Valjean and Inspector Javert, Anne Hathaway as Fantine and Eddie Redmayne (My Week With Marilyn) as Marius. 

The only major role yet to be cast is that of the young Eponine, who sings the major ballad "On My Own." Evan Rachel Wood, Scarlett Johansson, Taylor Swift and Glee star Lea Michele are all said to have auditioned. 

Baron Cohen is shaping up to have a big 2012, with his next headlining comedy The Dictator due over the summer, the third "Madagascar" film, and a small role in Quentin Tarantino's Django Unchained also on tap. That's not to mention Oscar buzz for his current film, Martin Scorsese's Hugo.