By Breeanna Hare
(CNN) — Not everyone’s pleased with Dakota Johnson and Charlie Hunnam in the starring roles in “Fifty Shades of Grey,” but the bigger-name stars fans have been clamoring for reportedly weren’t all that interested.
We already know Armie Hammer and Emma Watson were definitively not interested, with both nearly sneering at the thought. Even Aaron Taylor-Johnson, the husband of “Fifty Shades” director Sam Taylor-Johnson, diplomatically excused himself from any casting rumors.
“I’d love to work with Sam again, no question, without a doubt,” the “Kick-Ass” actor said. “I think she’s such an incredible director, and she’s got such an incredible vision. And especially for something like this, (which) she can do — no pun intended — with her hands tied behind her back and blindfolded.”
But for him, the role of the charismatic, handsome and domineering billionaire just didn’t “fit the bill.”
And according to The Hollywood Reporter, preferential choices Ryan Gosling and Garrett Hedlund also passed on the project.
Fans have not rallied around the idea of Hunnam as Christian Grey and have offered another suggestion: Matt Bomer. (The “White Collar” actor has since said that while he appreciates the support, Hunnam’s staying put.)
Some readers of E.L. James’ best-selling S&M-themed trilogy haven’t been thrilled with the idea of Johnson as Anastasia Steele, the naive college student who takes up with Grey. In their eyes, Alexis Bledel would be far better for the role, but THR notes that it was Shailene Woodley studio Universal had eyes for.
While the actress is said to have been comfortable with the racy demands of the film, her ties to the adaptation of Veronica Roth’s “Divergent” trilogy would get in the way.
So with Johnson and Hunnam being the choices — and “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.,” “Fifty Shades” producer Dana Brunetti tweeted — the next best thing the “Fifty Shades” team can do is knock the adaptation, written by Kelly Marcel, out of the park.
“Handled correctly, ‘Fifty Shades’ could catapult Johnson and Hunnam to the A-list,” The Hollywood Reporter predicts. “If it fails, it could end up like ‘Showgirls,’ whose star, Elizabeth Berkley, never recovered.”
The-CNN-Wire
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