Charlie Hunnam’s ’50 Shades’ casting freaks out fan-girls, producers do damage control

All of the angst, hair-pulling and tears over the confirmed 50 Shades of Grey casting news is making me laugh. Why does anyone care that much? I wanted this film to be cast out of the CW, but I’m intrigued by the fact that they got a proper artist/director (not to mention a WOMAN) like Sam Taylor Johnson to direct, and I’m genuinely intrigued by Charlie Hunnam’s casting. Not intriguing? Dakota Johnson as Anastasia, although to be fair, that part is crap and my guess is that most quality actresses approached ended up turning it down. Still, if you want a good laugh today, just go on Twitter and read some of the fan-girl tweets who think Charlie Hunnam is going RUIN and DESTROY their beloved erotica. Seriously, that’s what they’re worried about.

Anyway, if that stuff isn’t creepy enough, there’s more news coming out. For one, Dakota’s mom Melanie Griffith is really proud that her daughter got cast in this sketchy movie. And the producers are trying to coax the indignant fan-girls off the proverbial ledge:

Melanie Griffith is fifty shades of delighted! The actress spoke out Monday of her joy after author E L James revealed that Griffith and Don Johnson’s daughter Dakota Johnson has been cast as Anastasia in the movie version of Fifty Shades of Grey.

“My beautiful child Dakota has been chosen to play Anna Steele in 50 Shades,” Griffith, 56, wrote on Twitter. “Look out world! Here she comes!!! #proudmama.”

Some Fifty Shades fans were less ecstatic at the casting news, largely because Johnson, 23, and Charlie Hunnam, 33, cast as Christian Grey, are relative unknowns. She was on the short-lived sitcom Ben and Kate, while he stars on Sons of Anarchy.

But Dana Brunetti, one of the movie’s producers, defended the choices.

“There is a lot that goes into casting that isn’t just looks. Talent, availability, their desire to do it, chemistry with other actor, etc,” he wrote on Twitter. “So if your favorite wasn’t cast, then it is most likely due to something on that list. Keep that in mind while hating and keep perspective.”

“Auditions were stunning, incredible chemistry,” added another producer, Michael De Luca.

The movie, based on the first book in James’s erotic trilogy, is set for an August 2014 release.

[From People]

“Talent, availability, their desire to do it, chemistry with other actor, etc.” Ah, yes. That covers everything!!! “Their desire to do it” in particular. Seriously, though, why are people upset about Charlie Hunnam? Even if the film bombs (which it won’t, just my opinion), this role will make him a household name more than Sons of Anarchy. #hardtruth

In addition to that mess, Bret Easton Ellis claims that EL James really, really wanted Robert Pattinson to play the role that she wrote as erotic Twilight fan-fiction.

Robert Pattinson is apparently in high demand. After teasing about casting rumors for many months, E.L. James finally revealed that Dakota Johnson, 23, and Charlie Humman would be starring in the highly-anticipated adaptation of Fifty Shades of Grey. But as it turns out, Humman, 33, wasn’t the first in line to play the mysterious billionaire — at least according to Bret Easton Ellis.

“Talked to E.L. James at a party over the summer: her first choice for Christian was Rob Pattinson,” author and screenwriter Ellis claimed via Twitter on Monday. “E.L. James and I were at Rob Pattinson’s house when she admitted that Rob was first choice for Christian.”

He added: “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.”

Ellis and James both attended a house party thrown by Pattinson, 27, at his Los Feliz pad back in June. Guests enjoyed tacos and dancing until 3 a.m., an insider told Us Weekly at the time.

The Canyons screenwriter Ellis — best known for novels like Less Than Zero and The Rules of Attraction — also said that some rumored to be cast never even made the final cut. “Ian Somerhalder never in running,” he added. Matt Bomer was never up for the role either.

[From Us Weekly]

EL James was at Rob’s party over the summer, I remember those reports. But did anyone really think Rob would take the part even if he was offered it? I take this as E.L. James saying something like “I want a pony!” Of course she wanted Rob. But it was never going to happen. Also: hahahaha “Ian Somerhalder never in running.” Harsh.

Photos courtesy of WENN.

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149 Responses to “Charlie Hunnam’s ’50 Shades’ casting freaks out fan-girls, producers do damage control”

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  1. Harpreet says:

    She is 23?? I thought she was older…

  2. Erinn says:

    I don’t understand why they hate Charlie. He’s a damn fine specimen. And if you bothered to do a quick google search, they’d see that he can do the softer, more ‘pretty’ looks. EG: Lloyd from Undeclared.

    However, I really wish he’d avoided the project all together. The books, and I’d imagine the movie, are just such a piece of crap.

    • Samtha says:

      Charlie is amazingly hot. The crazy fangirls need to see Pacific Rim or one of his other films where he’s not scruffy.

    • RocketMerry says:

      You know, first of all, I seriously thought people were freaking out about such good an actor as Hunnam being cast, not the other way around. I needed to read the piece twice before getting that the book fan-girls were the ones hyper-ventilating.

      Secondly, if anything, people should be worried that this movie is being made at all.

      I read some excerpts online when everybody was a-buzz: oh. My. Sweet. Lord! that thing was badly written. The characters were developed so poorly, the writing style was just… just… Ugh.
      Why would any self-respecting actor want to do it?

      I honestly thought this was one of those terrible scripts that just kept resurfacing every now and then, with lots of whispering and gossiping and with nobody actually going to make it happen. I was so convinced! Damn.

    • erin says:

      I think the “problem” with Charlie is, that he looks bad in stills and most people don´t know him on film, where he looks quite good. I just hope for his sake, that he will back out. This will be bad for his career. Maybe it will make him known to a bigger audience but for what exactly? Yeah as the guy who did the crappy mommy porn movie.
      I´m also feeling sad for Melanie Griffith! What self respecting, strong woman would be proud of her daughter to be cast as Ana Steele?????

      • T.C. says:

        Charlie will be a bigger name, have more money but become a laughing stock. Truth.

      • posh-toes says:

        Two words : Green Street! CH is spectacular in that. I didn’t think he’d do a movie like this because of his OCD. I read that be doesn’t even like to shake hands, let alone his Wang, with strangers.

      • MyCatLoves TV says:

        To posh toes: He might be able to use a stunt penis?

    • Red32 says:

      What you need to understand is the obsessive fangirls of this book are probably seriously damaged. Who else would idolize a romantic hero who says things like “I like to hurt and whip little brunette girls like you because you look like my crack wh0re biological mother”? And they say romance is dead 😛

      • Erinn says:

        Holy geez. Reason 15734512 why I will never read that mess.

      • DreamyK says:

        THANK YOU..!!!

        I don’t even know why, but when I was reading that horribly written book I kept seeing Jason Segal as Christian. It’s not a comedy book either, well, at least not on purpose. Much better erotica out there than James’s fanfiction Fifty Shades.

        And duh..the whole book was based on an alternate version of Edward and Bella so OF COURSE James would want Sparkles to play lead.

      • nicegirl says:

        YUCK!!! I will NEVER read the book or see the movie, no matter that RED HOT Charlie has been cast.

      • V4Real says:

        @Red32.
        But here’s the thing about 50 Shades; it’s not just fangirls. It’s also married women in their 30’s, 40’s and 50’s. Over the past year when you see interviews about the book it’s grown ass women with children. What bothers me is that most mothers were appalled by Miley’s VMA performance but they love a pornographic book about a girl not much older than Miley giving in to S&M and being dominated by a man. I know Miley’s performance was real life and this is a cheesy book being turned into a cheesy movie but believe me you, teens will find a way to see this mess. Women say they were uncomfortable watching Thicke’s video Blurred Lines where Thicke barely laid a hand on the women. Let’s see how uncomfortable women will be when watching those graphic sex scenes from 50 Shades.

        Charlie is about to commit career suicide and I’m willing to bet they had plenty others in mind besides Pattison. Charlie probably came cheap and with hopes of boosting his career status. As for Dakota, I would say the same but most people had never heard of her. No career to destroy. Didn’t they learn anything from Elizabeth Berkley? People are saying that they don’t find Dakato attractive but in the book I don’t believe she is supposed to have supermodel looks. They really scraped the bottom of the barrel for this crap.

        Now I understand that Miley was a real life performance and this is just a cheesey book being turned into a cheesey movie but trust me young teens will find a way to see this movie.

      • Rulla says:

        Lol please tell me that’s not an actual line in the book. CH is beeaautiful!

      • Thiajoka says:

        Hahaha! Testify!

        @V4Real: Very good point about the hypocrisy involved.

    • Wilma says:

      I’m so dissapointed in Charlie Hunnam for taking this part, but I would have been dissapointed in most actors who were mentioned. Why dude, why? The only thing this project has got going for it is the director. The source material is just piss poor.

    • foreveryoung says:

      So do I. Like WTF! I need Ron Pearlman and Katey Sagal and like everyone else from the Sons of Anarchy cast to hit him on the side of the head repeatedly for this.

      How do you go from working with Guillermo del Toro, Idris Elba and Charlie Day during your Sons of Anarchy hiatus, sign on to more smart films, co-starring with Emma Stone (in another del Toro flick) and Cate Blanchet and Christoph Weitz (in Triple Nines) and then think the next best career move is to star in…a film/script from Brett Easton Ellis, co-starring a kid of Don Johnson and Melanie Griffith, based on a book that was originally Twilight fanfiction.

      • Samtha says:

        I don’t think Bret Easton Ellis actually has anything to do with the movie–does he? I thought Kelly (Kelli?) Marcel was writing the script.

      • erin says:

        Yeah I don´t understand it either but it seems like he wants to be a movie star badly. I don´t think that this will do him any good. The source material is just a whole load of shit, so the movie will be just the same – doesn´t matter if they have a decent director. If he is lucky, the movie will bomb, they won´t do the sequels and maybe people will forget he was in the movie. But if it´s a hit he will be stuck with this shit for a minimum of 3 years unable to move on..
        I´d rather see him build a movie career with small roles than this mommy porn shit

    • snakecharmer says:

      i agree. ive not read the book nor do i intend to, but i get seriously skeeved out when i see old ladies on the plane reading it. its like softcore porn, right?!?! i love charlie hunnam as an actor and wish he wasnt involved it this picture too. its ruining my image of him LOL! cant hate on the brother for wanting a paycheck yo

    • abbizmal says:

      I don’t understand either. Dude is smokin’ hot. However, I have no preconceived notion on the main character (some sadistic a-hole from what I understand) having not read that mess in the first place.

      PS – I’d hit it.

  3. Dawn says:

    Oh Charlie I love ya but I do believe this is not a good role for you. Good luck with it, but I am all ready seeing this as a bomb.

  4. Sixer says:

    Oh my giddy aunt. Poor Charlie.

  5. Marty says:

    I’m still crossing my fingers he backs out. The book is such garbage. I was just recently reminded of the “tampon scene”. *Shudders, then vomits*

  6. DJ says:

    She looks like Don Johnson in drag to me.

    • socalgal says:

      Yeah she does, spot on. IMO I think she is very plain.

    • Ally says:

      I gather the character is mousy and submissive, which I can see Dakota doing quite well with her voice (which, though not as squeaky as Melanie Griffith’s is still quite girly) and pouty face.

      But really once they water this down for a PG-13 rating or whatever, it’s basically gonna be a remake of “9 1/2 Weeks”, no?

      I look forward to the mortifying footage of women willing to be seen queuing up too this for the morning show newsreels.

  7. Mia 4S says:

    “Their desire to do it”. Exactly. No one A list or A quality would touch this. It’s funny I never took Charlie for someone who would stoop for the fame/money. I stand corrected.

    I still go back to the fact that this girl was in drug rehab by age 17. This film is going to bring a lot of pressure and nonsense. Plus her family history? I wish her no ill will…but I think this has the potential to get messy.

    • Mindy says:

      ‘Their desire to do it’

      EXACTLY. That one reason is the real reason they’re going with these two. No A-list actor or actress (or B-list for that matter) they wanted for the roles WANTED to do it.

      .. and trust me.. neither of these two are making money on this (they’re getting paid next to nothing for this one.. just like the Twilight cast did for the first Twilight film). They’re hoping that 50 Shades fans will come out in droves for the first one to warrant two more films.. and then, they’ll get the money they REALLY WANT.

  8. Jen says:

    Talent? Charlie is a crap actor. He was pretty terrible in “Pacific Rim.” Every time he swaggered around holding his belt buckle I threw up in my mouth a little bit.

    • ZAK says:

      It is so nice to see someone else besides myself to point out how awful Hunnman was in Pacific Rim. 50 Shades of Grey is not beneath him in the slightest.

      • Jen says:

        Seriously. And I have seen him in other things (a few episodes of SoA, that HORRIBLE movie Deadfall). He’s never impressed me. He’s not even good enough to make this movie watchable just for laughs.

    • Z says:

      I agree. I seen Pacific Rim and I was not impress with his looks or acting. Again this man does not fit the physical description of CG. He is not attractive at all but different strokes for different folks. The girl look a hot mess too and does not fit the physical description in the book. Just as someone said on another blog they picking the opposite of what they presented in the book…. Complete idiots

    • CC says:

      H doesn’t look like much and the works he’s in don’t exactly scream “quality”, so he may be perfect for this mess. At least he might end up being known for something, hadn’t heard of him before this.

  9. Victoria1 says:

    What gets me is these kids who think they should be actors because their parents were…really?

    • lenje says:

      Are you saying that these “kids” feel entitled to be actors just because their parents are actors? I beg to differ – it’s the upbringing. Just like a lot of diplomats are children of diplomats, and politicians generate politicians. (And other fields as well, I suppose).

      And yes, talent can be hereditary as well. Sometimes the children can be better actors than their parents.

      • Belle Epoch says:

        Not disagreeing, but want to point out no real acting skills are required to play whatshername, Christian Gray’s imbecile vessel who loves being abused and has sex 5 times a day and forgets to take her birth control. I would NOT be proud of my daughter for landing that role!

  10. Cheryl says:

    Yeah, just looked through the web at pics… If he drops the weight, gets leaner and they clean him up, he’ll be fine to play Christian. He just looks beefy and bloated and sweaty in these photos.

    Now, the movie will be a POs, and that’s what people should be worried bout….

  11. magpie says:

    His eyes are even closer together than Ryan Gosling’s. Not handsome imo.

  12. Lucy says:

    I just want to take a moment to express my happiness over Matt Bomer being left out of this crap, YES. Charlie doesn’t deserve all the hate, though. I think he’ll be just fine after the movie.

  13. Cora says:

    I think the “50 Shades” fan girls who are upset with Charlie’s casting just don’t know who he is. He’s unknown to them, so they’re freaking out. Charlie’s still photos never do him justice, so when they Googled him they all panicked. I have a feeling none of these fan girls have seen “Sons of Anarchy”. They haven’t seen how sexy and scary he can be as Jax.

    As a fan of SOA, I’m not worried that Charlie can handle this character. I think he’ll knock it out of the park. I’m just worried about the weak source material for this film. No matter how well the actors do, they can’t save a fundamentally flawed and weak script, if that’s what we’re going to see here.

    • lady mary. says:

      yeah ,not a fan of charles ,but out of curiosity chkd him out ,i think the reason why they hired him was he is pretty good at sex scenes ,they are sorta rough and hot almost borderline masochist ,like the one in abandon ,i guess he will be alright in it ,those fan girs will be happily worshiping him ,i hope this whole shit gets over quickly and we are treated with some sane movies in future

    • LAK says:

      Admittedly i haven’t read 50 shades, but there is a long history of good, even great, movies made from very weak/flawed source material. And vice versa.

      Unless you have seen an actual script as opposed to the source material, you can’t judge how the film will turn out.

    • Katie says:

      Well said! He’s great on SOA because he’s such a badass but so sexy you can’t resist him. He’s great in sex scenes and still photos just don’t do him justice. These girls that are anti Charlie need to watch some episodes of SOA and I’ll bet they’ll come around.

  14. the other Kate says:

    you can’t ruin and destroy such shit, can you?

  15. Florc says:

    I only know Charlie from that Atheist movie and as Jax in SOA. He can’t really act. Jax is a decent character because he’s supported by the acting of others.
    If anything this movie will be a hilarious disaster. It’s only interesting for that reason.
    And the book!? I had a good laugh with mild disgust all while wondering how such a poorly written book became so popular.

  16. Marisa says:

    It doesn’t matter who they cast. The books were crap, so the movie will be crap. The actresses who turned down the role were smart.

  17. Chutzpah says:

    Could someone please ID me her dress?

  18. Aud says:

    I’m more shocked at the fact they’re going ahead to film this piece of crap novel.
    If women want to know how feminism is faring, they can take a look at the sales of these sorts of novels, where men are sadistic bastards and women are submissive and brainless.

  19. Red32 says:

    I guess they wanted someone thinner and more boyband-ish, so it’s easier for the little fangirls to pretend Christian isn’t an abusive prick.

  20. LAK says:

    Am i the only person who remembers him in QUEER AS FOLK?

    If he can handle that material and be great with it, he can certainly this.

    • Mia 4S says:

      Oh no please tell me you did not just equate Queer as Folk to 50 Shades of No Talent?! Please!

      It’s not that people think he can’t handle the material; a well-trained chimpanzee could handle 50 Shades.

      • LAK says:

        Mia 4S/Elle: I can give you a long list of sh!tty books that made good films.

        And before you think i am a fan, i’m not. Haven’t read the books, nor do i intend to, but i know the general sentiment around it.

        The team that has been pulled together to make this film isn’t cheesy. Between them they have produced THE SOCIAL NETWORK, HOUSE OF CARDS, SAFE, 21, AMERICAN HISTORY X, MONEY BALL, MAGNOLIA, PLEASANTVILLE and many more. That is a better team than the one TWILIGHT had going out.

        Further, people on this board seem to think that Charlie is only good in SOA and my point is that he isn’t and he has played fairly sexually adventurous characters before and was great doing so with complexity and nuance as shown in QAS.

        On a different note, Kellen Lutz remains a puzzle to everyone. He can’t handle any type of film good or bad.

    • Elle says:

      QAF was a story about actual human beings who resembled and exhibited human emotions and struggles.

      50 shades of s%%t is about a Ken Doll in a suit who likes to beat virgin Barbie and stick things in her orifices.

      The question isn’t whether he can handle the material. Kellan Lutz could handle the material. The real questions is wtf was charlie thinking when he took this role.

  21. GMarchetti says:

    I’ve seen him in Pacif Rim and boy… he’s one of the worst actors I’ve ever seen, and we are talking about a movie about robots! Damm, now I’m interested in this 50 Shades, it’s gonna be an epic fail, maybe the next Showgirls!

  22. Maum says:

    I do I do! He was so sweet in Queer as Folk and his sex scenes were amazingly… Sexy.

  23. mom2two says:

    I think Charlie is good looking and a good actor. I think the big thing here, is they found actors who did not shy away from the part (s). 50 Shades is not going to win the box office on star power (and it never was going to anyway), so one has to hope that the screenplay is a total upgrade from the book. It’s going to win the box office either off of curiosity or a good word of mouth. The thing it has in it’s favor is it will be modestly budgeted.
    As for Melanie being proud, I am sure she is happy to see her daughter get a part. What else, as a mother, is she going to say?
    There was no way on Earth, Pattinson was even considered for this part (other then in EL James’ mind) or that Pattinson would take this part. Pattinson needs to have a career outside of Twilight and taking a movie that based off of a Twilight fanfic is not a good way to do that.

  24. Chrissy says:

    I just can’t with this guy, he just always looks so bloated, unkempt, and sketchy. I can’t see him playing a successful businessman but I could imagine him playing an abusive perv. I’ve never read the books so I really don’t have too much insight about the movie but it is possible that this first movie will bomb so bad that the other 2 books won’t get their turn in cinemas. It happened with the American version of The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo, after all, and that was much better written and more eagerly anticipated than this book/movie.

  25. Maria says:

    there is always outrage i cant take it seriously anymore.

    heath ledger as the Joker? NOOOOO
    Robert Downey Jr as Ironman? NOOOO

    turned out quite ok i would say.

  26. Elle says:

    The indignation at his casting is making me lol. I love how, in some articles, they’re reporting it as “much coveted role”. Um, the only ones who are coveting this role are the likes of Ian Somerwhatever and Joe “I can’t act so I’ll work out instead” Manjello. The fact they even got Charlie is a surprise and I’m totally judging him for taking it.

  27. Sookie says:

    He doesn’t fit the part. End of story.

    • MsCatra says:

      Really? Cleaned up he looks pretty but dangerous, which is a very watered down way to describe Christian’s appearance and character.

      • Alyce says:

        I haven’t read the books, but isn’t he supposed to be the suave, “pretty boy” type? This guy looks more like a “jump you in a back alley” type…

  28. MademoiselleRose says:

    I seriously do not know why this book has become so popular, and so many people are carrying on like as if it’s the first, most ground breaking, book of its type on the planet. There are many books with a similar subject, and better written, which have been around for years. Why this one? Why, with so many talented authors out there are these pieces of badly written rubbish making millions and being talked about so much. It’s a total mystery to me. Exact same thing for Twilight.

    Robert Pattinson, I would hazard, was smart enough to want no part of it. He’s already been there, done that and doesn’t want any more. No self-respecting actor would want to be part of this piece of crap.

  29. Tapioca says:

    “they got a proper artist/director.”

    No they didn’t. Her “art” is risible nonsense and her one film attempt made less BO than Gigli.

    Which, admittedly, probably makes her the perfect choice to helm this sh*tfest!

  30. Emily C. says:

    Bret Easton Ellis was right: a porn star should have been Christian Grey, and another porn star (Sasha Grey?) should have been Anastasia Steele, because THE STORY IS PORN. They’re apparently going to try to make it “R”, which… why? What? How? What the heck is even the point when they’re going to sanitize it like that?

  31. Katie says:

    Everyone needs to just stop looking at pictures of Charlie online and watch some SOA.

  32. lenje says:

    I never saw Ben and Kate, so I can’t judge on Dakota Johnson’s capability and competence. As for her looks – does anyone else also think she looks a little like Kaley Cuoco? (The lips, I guess. And they’re both blondes).

  33. MaraFan says:

    The books are crap. The fact that Rpattz and a list of other mid to no talent actors wanted this role/was “considered”, should make these fans happy that someone like Charlie (talented & good-looking) decided to ruin his career forever to play Grey.

    • Suzeque says:

      @marafan, sorry to disappoint you but Robert Pattinson never “wanted” this role! He may have been considered by EL James (RP was her original inspiration) but there is no way in hell he put his name in the pot to seriously be considered. He knows what a pile of s#@t this movie will be.

      • MaraFan says:

        Uhm,I also said “was considered”. The fact that RPattz is now good friends with author shows me he isn’t above this trash. You’re the company you keep. Also, he’s a crap actor. He is what this movie deserves.

    • Another Ann says:

      Please. Rob isn’t besties with this author, who is old enough to be his mother. He probably met her once and had a polite conversation. Which, in tabloid speak, means she’s now his closest confidante.

      • Anname says:

        According to EL James twitter, she has never met him. This whole story about how they are friends is from a fake source used by Eonline. I think he would be completely weirded out by her, since she was obsessed with him while writing her fanfiction.

  34. Carebearvancouver says:

    So I have not read the book so do not care about who gets cast…and I have no idea who the guy is but Dakota…wow Hollywood nepotism prevails over talent and charisma. So a while back I saw her on late night ..possibly Leno or letterman and this was to promote her new sitcom. Without seeing it, I knew this show would bomb bc this girl had zero and I mean Zero!!!! ‘ifactor’ no charisma ,not interesting. And she had great stories from her childhood so great material, still sucked. Later that week her mom was interviewed- just the opposite. So funny, interesting. She has the it factor. She is another rumour Willis – you will never make it happen.

  35. Magneticfieldz says:

    Seriously, people need to quit obsessing over this book/ movie.
    I invite you to read this review. The animated gifs are priceless, and it’s spot on.
    http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/340987215

  36. j.eyre says:

    I am on pretty much the same page with you on this, Kaiser. A female director with some merit, a good lead for Grey – if the script is left to some good writers, who knows how this could go.

    And I had hoped for an actress of Hunnam’s caliber for Steele to try and bring some complexity to the character that would allow us to identify with her in some way.

    • lifeiskickingmy says:

      My thoughts exactly. American Psycho was a shitty ass novel that wasn’t even interesting enough to be offensive, but the movie turned it into something much better. Could be the same case here, we just don’t know yet

  37. Alexandria says:

    I personally hope they stay true to the book, every last gritty detail. You know why? Because the abuse would be so epically failtastic that the rabid fans would be forced to see it in all it’s glorified horror. Seeing it on the big screen instead of in their minds would make it near impossible to deny the rampant abuse. And I hope that they will leave the theaters stunned and disgusted and it will open the platform for a public discussion of the abuse and misogyny being promoted. Can’t hardly wait…

  38. LZ says:

    We all know what this movie is. I read the book and new what I was in for. I want some decent mainstream erotica and neither of these actors do it for me in the slightest. I don’t find him attractive at all. She does look a bit too old for the part r run though she’s not that far off from the characters age.

  39. Another Ann says:

    All I want to know is, will they keep the tampon scene? Because that would be epic.

  40. mercy says:

    He reminds me of a younger version of Sandra Bullock’s ex-husband.

    I’m surprised he signed on, but I was surprised Sam Taylor-Wood signed on as well. I guess good lead roles and directing gigs are hard to come by these days.

    I haven’t read the book, but it seems to have a big following like the Twilight series so chances of it doing well at the box office seem good.

    Either way, it will definitely raise his profile, and maybe they offered him a lot of money. That would help support the smaller films he might want to do.

  41. Ag says:

    All these fan girls/fan women who read mommy open and get worked up about casting choices should just try going home and having sex with their significant others on a regular basis. instead of fantasizing about, you know, fictional characters. Since they’re fictional and all.

  42. Elisabeth says:

    I hope the adaption goes wayyy off the book (like The Other Boleyn Girl) and it’s actually watchable

  43. Miss M says:

    “So if your favorite wasn’t cast, then it is most likely due to something on that list.”

    And IF your favorite was cast and you didn’t want him to be linked to this sh*t? How Can I keep some perspective? *sigh*

  44. Maggie says:

    I read Fifty Shades knowing nothing about it. Poorly written to say the least and boring. I couldn’t wait to finish it. I thought the guy was supposed to be so handsome. I don’t really find this guy all that attractive.

    • Jasrina says:

      Completely agree! I was so hoping for Matt Bomer though! These two just look odd and don’t seem to visually represent the characters from the novel. They could have chosen a MUCH better cast.

  45. Stephanie says:

    I will not see this movie.

  46. matia says:

    I think charlie is hot on SOA so I’m happy I get to see more of him. I couldn’t read this book because the writing is so bad but its fluff so whatever

  47. Janet says:

    I got through ten pages of the book before I threw it in the trash. I won’t waste ten seconds on the movie.

  48. grabbyhands says:

    This crapfest of a movie may make money, but no one is ever going to take him seriously as an actor after this. AND it will pigeonhole him forever.

    It’s not like the cast of Twilight is ending up on anyone’s Oscar list.

    And it is really too bad-he was beginning to make the transition from TV to screen and while I can’t say anything about Pacific Rim since I never saw it, I think he must have some promise because he was getting jobs with respected actors and directors.

    The money must be REALLY good, because in previous interviews he was always very aware, or seemed to be, about the importance of making wise decisions when it came to scripts.

  49. Anname says:

    I really wonder how many people will actually show up at the theater to watch this, half it’s audience is embarassed to admit they read it/liked it.

    I think they really should have made this an HBO series, you can go NC17 without losing half your audience. Lots of room for the soft porn there.

  50. Tig says:

    Forget the casting wars of opinion- why is Bret E stirring the pot? I know at one point he was angling to write the screenplay- is he that PO’ed that he didn’t get the job? Why inc that random bit re Rob P?

    Of all the speculation over the mths- seemed like the majority was Ian S vs Matt B- never a peep about this guy. I for one would have liked to have seen Matt B cast to kill the stupid notion that a gay man wouldn’t be believable as CG- wasn’t that another Bret E opinion?

  51. filmglobal38 says:

    I am curious to see how this film will do. On the plus side, it has several advantages in the U.S. market. It is young, teeny and adolescent. The heroine is ideal for the demographic- a Bella Swan type who is not too strong or intimidating. She doesn’t sound like she reads books or shoots guns.
    One negative is the sex stuff. Yes, that is why the books are famous, but there would not be a way to make it a comfy PG-13.
    A R rating or being too appealing to an older audience, whether by accident or design, can be the kiss of death for a film in the U.S.
    Still, I anticipate a much stronger domestic than worldwide performance. Charlie Hunnam is coming off one of the biggest movies in the world but I really doubt that audience is going to follow him here!

    • orion70 says:

      Well, given that half the book keeps referring to “down there” instead of actual hot, porny dialogue, they could keep that and keep it PG-13. Then again, it’d come across as if it was 80’s Monica Gellar yammering on about her flower, lol.

  52. moon says:

    I’m actually loving the casting choices, have a gut feeling those two have good chemistry. And again, Charlie looks super hot without that beard.

    I love how ‘availability’ and ‘desire to do the film’ were factors the producers listed, clearly no brand name actor wanted the role. But having Sam Taylor-Johnson makes me hopeful the film will be decent.

  53. hairball says:

    Why if Ian Somerhalder was never a contender, did Ian talk about it? Or maybe he was just asked about it a lot..?

    I remember seeing Ian Somerhalder in an interview and he was asked about 50 Shades. He said about how he was in a store and a dr was reading behind him in line reading the book. He said they ‘had a moment’ because of all the press talk, she totally was picturing him as Gray. I like Ian S actually, but that just struck me as so arrogant.

  54. Sarah says:

    The books were terrible (seriously, it’s like the author suffers from literary ADD) and I can’t see the films being much better unless the script re writes them completely, so the least they could’ve done is get a hot actor to drool over. Christian Grey is meant to be stunning and I’ve seen hotter guys at the bus stop (and yes, I did the google thing).

    • orion70 says:

      I don’t know, from what I’ve read, it comes across not so much that CG is the most stunning human being ever, but that Ana is making him out to be. Half the women in the book who are supposedly hot for CG, are more “OMG someone looked sideways at my BF, she totally wants him” stuff.

  55. St says:

    Should have gone with Ian Somerhalder really. I wonder why they trash and humiliate him so much. By mentioning every time that he never ever was even considered. Poor guy. He is natural douchebag. He has that face. He would probably be ok as that Christian Grey.

    I also don’t feel Charlie’s casting. He is not sexy. At all. He is just a nice guy. I don’t see those girls running to see him. They ignored Pacific Rim just now.

  56. HTC says:

    Didn’t these books come about because of twilight fan fiction? Of course they are terrible.

  57. Amanda G says:

    He’s too good for this and he doesn’t fit the part anyway. Bad choice.

  58. Diana says:

    I can’t believe people are actually ASKING for budget casting with Matt Bomer and Ian Somerhalder. Like, what the shizz, guys?!

    If I needed any further proof that the 50 Shades crowd is full of tacky, tasteless morons, then here it is.

    • Alyce says:

      How is this guy less “budget” than Bomer and Somerhalder? They are all TV guys. I didn’t read the books & won’t be seeing the movie, but if I was a fangirl, I’d rather have Matt or Ian – at least they are pretty. This dude looks like 10 miles of bad road!

      • Diana says:

        Oh, please. Ian Somehalder is on a CW tv show about vampires. His acting consists of wacky, rolling eyes and mouth chomping. Matt Bomer is cute, but come on. They’re not the same caliber at all.

        Charlie Hunnam headlined Pacific Rim. It did really badly, but it’s worlds away from anything Matt or Ian could ever hope to land.

    • Samigirl says:

      Have you never seen MB in action? He is a fantastic actor. Not to mention ridiculously beautiful. He’s been in a few films as well (Magic Mike for one), and he is fantastic on White Collar.

  59. Dommy Dearest says:

    I feel/felt the same way with Affleck being cast as Batman so I can’t hate on the rage. But having not ready the book I’m looking forward to some Jax kink. Kinda makes me think with his casting that they did try to get Thor for the role.

  60. newtsgal says:

    I’m not planning on seeing this movie, but I will continue to bang off some AA’s while watchin’ him for free on SOA…hehehe!

  61. Scarlet says:

    I read it, and I spent the whole time waiting for the sexy part to start. It never did.

    Very, very, very soft core erotica. I’ve read category romances that have higher level erotic content in them.

  62. anet says:

    Dear Whatshisface, I get that you have a hammaconda of your own, but just fyi, that does not make you hot.
    I will have still never learned who you are – if you lived or died…or read that stupid book or watch that stupid upcoming movie. My country deserves BETTER!

  63. TherapyCranes says:

    I don’t understand the hysteria. He’s attractive and cleans up wonderfully. Just google Charlie Hunnam and see all the wonderful sexy pictures.

    This should not be everyone’s concern.

    I don’t think this movie will tank either. All the fangirls will flock to see the movie and all the haters will as well. It will be a success just because of the magnitude of how many people talk about it.

  64. lisa2 says:

    Not really understanding all the crazy about the casting. I mean this is not some amazing piece of literature. It is popcorn porn. And the got popcorn people to play the parts.

    they are not going to be able to bring this thing to life. I have not read he books but have seen comments. If people actually want a real version of then it will need to open in a XXX theater. It will be a R-rated film. It will be marketed to woman. I don’t care to see it. Nothing I have seen about the book get me going in the least.

    Again it is just a book. And by all accounts a poorly written book. So they cant’ really mess it up.

  65. Rux says:

    I never read the book(s) and only know what I have read and heard about this Grey dude and feel Charlie would actually do Grey justice. I think Charlie is an underrated actor and could use this role to solidify his career and hopefully let him choose movies that don’t pay the huge bucks but allow him to flex his talents and hopefully shirtless 😉

  66. NG says:

    (I was about to defend DJ cause i was so sure she was the girl from the movie “Teeth” but then it turns out it was Jess Weixler who was the one in that movie not Dakota, they look so much alike though. Anyways.)

  67. Luffy says:

    He simply doesn’t look the part. Compare him to sparkles, who is what the author was probably picturing when she wrote the book and obviously whonshe wanted for the film, he looks too big and brawny and neanderthalish. There’s no sensitivity. He looks to rough in my opinion.

  68. Joan says:

    I think this is quite an opportunity for Charlie. The role will open him some doors. It will certainly bring him fame but the question is whether it will be a curse or a blessing. Same for Dakota. Only time will tell then whether they really have talent and skill.
    I don’t know the book, but I think casting relatively unknown actors generally benefits such a hyped project.

  69. Donna says:

    rob pattinson would have made this movie AWESOME! after his role in cosmopolis,he would have owned it! i do not like/or agree with the casting choices so i wont be watching the movie or reading the books!