After months of speculation as to who would play the leads in the (ugh) “Fifty Shades of Grey” movie (due out next August), it looks like we finally have our two main leads: The Hollywood Reporter is reporting that Charlie Hunnam from Sons of Anarchy and relative newcomer Dakota Johnson, daughter of Don Johnson and Melanie Griffith, have been cast as Christian Grey and Anastasia Steele, as per tweets by author E.L. James.
“The gorgeous and talented Charlie Hunnam will be Christian Grey in the film adaptation of Fifty Shades of Grey,” she wrote. Hunnam currently stars as a series regular on the hit FX biker drama Sons of Anarchy, which returns for its sixth season on Sept. 10. His film credits include Pacific Rim, Children of Men, Cold Mountain, Nicholas Nickelby and Green Street Hooligans. Fifty Shades of Grey will be released by Focus Features on August 1, 2014.
Everyone is freaking out about how the casting is wrong and yadda yadda yadda stupid fandom crap, but let’s be honest here: The book romanticizes an abusive relationship. That’s not just me saying it; that’s a university study saying the exact same thing. The book is poorly written and the dynamic between the characters is entirely unhealthy. I’m sure Hunnam and Johnson are talented actors, but even the most talented actors in the world can’t save a film that’s fundamentally flawed in its narrative.
I am delighted to let you know that the lovely Dakota Johnson has agreed to be our Anastasia in the film adaptation of Fifty Shades of Grey.
— E L James 💙 (@E_L_James) September 2, 2013
The gorgeous and talented Charlie Hunnam will be Christian Grey in the film adaptation of Fifty Shades of Grey.
— E L James 💙 (@E_L_James) September 2, 2013