50 Shades cast revealed
After much speculation, the actors who will play the leads in the film adaption of the raunchy, erotic book 50 Shades of Grey, have been announced…..
The role of Anastasia Steele has gone to…..a little known American actress Dakota Johnson. WHO?? Yup, you probably know her mum and dad better: Melanie Griffith and Don Johnson.
Twenty-three-year-old Dakota previously had small roles in The Social Network and 21 Jump Street but is now set for global stardom after bagging the coveted role. She will star opposite British actor Charlie Hunnam who steps into the shoes of Christian Grey. You will recognize 33-year-old Hunnam from Pacific Rim and Sons of Anarchy.
Speculation as to who would play the lead roles has been rife for months, with actors such as Emma Watson, Mila Kunis, Elizabeth Olson, Robert Pattinson and Michael Fassbender all linked to the project at various points. Cape Town-born model Bryce Thompson, who is now based in New York, was also asked to audition for the role of Christian.
The 50 Shades of Grey movie – based on the bestselling novel by E.L. James - will be out in August 2014. Sam Taylor-Wood will direct the film.
50 Shades of Grey and its two sequel novels are believed to have earned author James some $98-million in 2012.
Tweeting the announcement of the lead roles, James described Ms Johnson as "lovely" and Mr Hunnam as "gorgeous and talented".