Sacha Baron Cohen is set to star in Les Miserables.

The Hugo actor - who is best known for comedy roles in films including Borat: Cultural Learnings of America for Make Benefit Glorious Nation of Kazakhstan and Bruno - will play Monsieur Thenardier in the forthcoming musical, which will be directed by Oscar-winning filmmaker Tom Hooper.

Sacha rounds of a huge cast for the film, which includes Hugh Jackman, Anne Hathaway, Helena Bonham Carter and Russell Crowe. Glee actress Lea Michele is also in the frame for a part, playing Eponine, although Taylor Swift and Scarlett Johansson are also said to be vying for the character.

Tom - who won an Academy Award last year for his work on The King's Speech - recently confessed the movie would be shot in 2-D instead of 3-D, although he had flirted with the idea.