I’ve definitely got my issues with 50 Shades Of Grey, the Twilight fan fiction penned by E.L. James which spurned the jarring genre descriptor “Mommy Porn”, however I’m keeping an open mind about the pending film adaptation. Impressive directing talent Sam Taylor-Johnson (of Nowhere Boy fame) was confirmed to helm the adaptation earlier this year and today, after months of speculation, casting for the leads has been revealed.
Disarmingly attractive and surprisingly versatile Sons Of Anarchy star, Charlie Hunnam (recently starring in Pacific Rim) will bring to life the character Christian Grey, a disarmingly attractive (and sexually non-versatile) businessman with a mysterious past, a number of Freud-coined personality issues and a predilection for spanking. The story’s protagonist and narrator Anastasia Steele will be played by lesser known American actress Dakota Johnson – the spawn of Eighties tan merchants Don Johnson and Melanie Griffith.
Johnson has appeared in 21 Jump Street and The Social Network in supporting roles, but as the female lead in now-cancelled sitcom Ben and Kate she conveyed a convincing blend of charm, funny and vulnerability that will be essential for translating the Anastasia Steele character on screen without making her read as an insufferable twit (e.g. character excerpt from book: “Holy Crap! He’s wearing a white shirt, open at the collar, and grey
flannel pants that hang from his hips. His unruly hair is still damp
from a shower. My mouth goes dry looking at him. He’s so freaking hot”).
This is good casting.
The movie is expected to drop in cinemas on 1 August, 2014. To learn more about the book please refer to our Brief Introduction To 50 Shades Of Grey.
Via
IndieWire
