'Fifty Shades Of Grey' Fans Cast Lead Roles At E L James' Book Signing

From Ryan Reynolds to Alexis Bledel, book's fans tell MTV News who they think should play the famous S&M couple in movie version.
By Fallon Prinzivalli

E.L. James at the "50 Shades Of Grey" Q&A in New York City
Photo: Getty Images

NEW YORK — Film adaptations of beloved novels never cease to cause frenzy among fans as to which actors deserve which roles. We saw it with "Twilight" and, more recently, with "The Hunger Games." And E L James' popular book "Fifty Shades of Grey" is no different. When the author made her way into New York's Union Square for a book signing at Barnes & Noble, MTV News was on the scene to witness readers avidly campaigning for who they'd like to see land the lead roles.

"Personally, I want Christian Bale to play Christian Grey because of his experience with 'American Psycho,' " one fan told us. "I feel like he could be perfect. Some people think he's too old, but this is Hollywood — we could fix that. You know, we can give him some laser, minimize some fine lines, he's good to go. He's the one. I want that one."

The rights to the New York Times best-seller were optioned by Universal Pictures and Focus Features back in March, which is when casting rumors began to swirl. The interest has yet to die down as both Ian Somerhalder and Alexander Skarsgård expressed interest in the role of Christian. One fan agrees with the latter choice, saying, "In the movie I would want to see, in the role of Christian, at least — I think that's the one where I really have a preference — I would love to see Alexander Skarsgård."

Other actors mentioned were Bradley Cooper and Ryan Reynolds for the titillating male lead and Alexis Bledel for the female heroine. And while it's doubtful that "Twilight" veterans Kristen Stewart and will play the couple — even though "Fifty Shades" was originally written as "Twilight" fan fiction — one fan is hanging on to hope that the actor behind Edward Cullen is cast. "[I would cast] Robert Pattinson," she said. "For the simple fact that he was intense in his last movie with Bella. I haven't really seen many more actors bring out a scene with that intensity."

With the popularity of the novel, it's likely the casting director would want to work with relatively unknown actors to bring the characters to life. If that's the case, one fan is really rooting for her favorite Cuban dancer. "William Levy — he's currently on 'Dancing With the Stars.' Oh my gosh, he totally is Christian Grey. And as Ana I see Leelee Sobieski ['Glass House,' 'Joy Ride']. I think she would be a very good Ana Steele," she said.

But whoever is chosen to play the literary world's current hottest couple, one reader voiced every fan's main concern: "[Christian] better be good and hot."

Which actors do you think should play the leads in the "Fifty Shades of Grey" movie? Tell us in the comments.

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