Anne Hathaway: Fantine in Les Miserables was 'dream' job

Anne Hathaway said being cast as tragic heroine Fantine in the film adaptation of Les Miserables was her "dream" job as she attended the movie's world premiere last night.

Despite losing almost two stone and having her long hair cropped to play the factory worker turned prostitute, the American actress admitted she would have done anything for the part.

Oozing Hollywood style as she took to the red carpet in London's Leicester Square wearing a bejewelled Givenchy gown, the 30-year-old said: "It's just the sort of job you feel you should give your pay cheque back at the end of the week, it was such a dream and I can't believe I'm the girl that got to play Fantine."

Asked if she would have gone beyond the drastic lengths of cutting her brunette locks and slimming down to play her emaciated character, Hathaway added: "I didn't have to pull out my teeth, but no one asked, so yes, I would do anything."

The star was joined by director Tom Hooper and co-stars Hugh Jackman, Russell Crowe, Amanda Seyfried and Eddie Redmayne on the red carpet.

Burberry model Redmayne, who attended the premiere in a teal velvet Burberry suit, said working with a cast of Hollywood heavyweights was "wildly exhilarating".

The 30-year-old also admitted he sought advice from fellow actors Jackman and Crowe.

Australian Jackman, 44, described London as the perfect place for the film's premiere, calling it "the spiritual home of the musical".

He said: "It's the most French story ever written, and I guess this is where it really took life. It's very exciting and the crowds have been great and it never grows old this stuff."

Acknowledging the difference between his past experience in musical theatre and the film making process, Jackman said: "Obviously with the camera it's a different audience; the camera's very close and it's a lot more intimate."

Hathaway wore a navy Burberry cape over her white long-sleeved gown and braved the cold to sign autographs and meet fans in central London.

The film also stars Helena Bonham Carter and Sacha Baron-Cohen.

Guests at the premiere included fashion designer Valentino and actress Gillian Anderson who wore a low cut red dress.

Sussex schoolgirl Isabelle Allen, 10, was plucked from obscurity to play the young Cosette, Hathaway's on-screen daughter, and wore a pink tutu dress on the red carpet.

Based on the long-running musical, Les Miserables is directed by Hooper, the man behind Academy Award winning The King's Speech.

The film won Hooper the Oscar for Best Achievement in Directing, and also won Best Motion Picture.

Based upon the novel of the same name by Victor Hugo, Les Miserables unfolds against the backdrop of 19th century France.

It follows the trials of ex-prisoner Jean Valjean (Jackman), who is hunted for decades by ruthless policeman Javert (Crowe) after breaking parole.

The musical is in its 27th year of performance, and has been seen by more than 60 million people in 42 countries in 21 languages around the globe. It opened at the Barbican Centre in London on October 8 1985.

Les Miserables will hit UK cinema screens on January 11.

PA