Behold the power of the internet. While no official announcement has been made, the sleuths over at Cinema Blend have apparently uncovered some major “Les Miserables” movie casting news through – what else? – Twitter. British actor Matt Lucas, who had a scene-stealing turn in this summer’s “Bridesmaids”, and has also acted in the “Les Mis” musical on the West End stage, tweeted a couple of hours ago: “Sacha will be amazing in the Les Mis movie. He’s the funniest man in the world and a good friend. Am excited to see his Thenardier.”

Sacha, of course, is referring to comedian Sacha Baron Cohen, famous of going deep undercover as outrageous characters to elicit shocking responses out of an unsuspecting public – to hilarious results. Our own deductive reasoning can only conclude that Lucas must have been up for the role of Thenardier, the greedy innkeeper who provides some of the biggest laughs in the stage musical (and the role he played on stage), and has received the call that Cohen has been cast in the role instead. If Cohen has actually been cast, he will join an all-star cast that already includes Hugh Jackman as Jean Valjean, Russell Crowe as Inspector Javert, Anne Hathaway as Fantine and Eddie Redmayne as Marius. Helena Bonham Carter’s name has been linked to the role of Thenardier’s wife, but her involvement is not official as of yet. Recent Oscar winner Tom Hooper will direct and recently reassured everyone that good old fashioned 2D will be employed to shoo the movie.

Also still up for grabs are roles including Eponine, Cosette and Enjolras. Well, at least as far as we know, the roles are still up for grabs. Lucas’ inadvertant Twitter announcement may indicate other casting decisions have been finalized but not yet publicized as well. The clock is ticking on the project, with rehearsals set to begin in a few scant weeks in January and cameras rolling by March, not to mention that Christmas 2012 release date.