’50 Shades’ stars revealed!
Dakota Johnson and Charlie Hunnam have been cast in the lead roles in the big-screen adaptation of Fifty Shades of Grey.
Fifty Shades author EL James took to her Twitter account to reveal the actors who will bring Anastasia Steele and Christian Grey to live in Sam Taylor-Johnson’s adaptation of the kinky novel.
James posted yesterday (2 September): "I am delighted to let you know that the lovely Dakota Johnson has agreed to be our Anastasia in the film adaptation of Fifty …"
She tweeted later: "The gorgeous and talented Charlie Hunnam will be Christian Grey in the film adaptation of Fifty Shades of Grey. (sic)"
23-year-old Johnson – daughter of actress Melanie Griffith and her ex-husband, Miami Vice star Don Johnson – has previously had small roles in The Social Network, The Five-Year Engagement and 21 Jump Street, and starred in the short-lived television series Ben & Kate.
British actor Hunnam has had a lead role in the television series Sons of Anarchy and a starring part in Guillermo del Toro’s blockbuster Pacific Rim.
Fifty Shades of Grey will be produced by Universal for release in August 2014.
James’s announcement was met with a flurry of online comments, to which James tweeted: "To all the supporters, lovers and haters – thank you so much for the passion that you have for this project. You all rock. All of you,"
Various Hollywood stars have been linked to the project, with Ryan Gosling, Vampire Diaries star Ian Somerhalder, White Collar star Matt Bomer, Emma Stone and Emma Watson frequently mentioned in casting rumours.
However, Fifty Shades screenwriter Bret Easton Ellis revealed on Twitter that Twilight Saga star Robert Pattinson had been James’s first choice for the role of Christian Grey.
"Talked to E.L. James at a party over the summer: her first choice for Christian was Rob Pattinson and Matt Bomer was never in the running," he tweeted.
"E.L. James and I were at Rob Pattinson’s house when she admitted that Rob was first choice for Christian. Ian Somerhalder never in running.
"When E.L. James asked me who I thought should be Christian I said ‘James Deen, of course’ and then she shoved me. We were both very wasted."
Former porn star Deen recently starred in Ellis’ The Canyons alongside Lindsay Lohan.
