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.
“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.
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.
