So while I was in Mexico, the first two major Fifty Shades of Grey casting picks were released.
As you may remember, I played my own version of Fifty Shades Fantasy Football over a year ago.
So far, I am 0-2. Which only affirms, not that I am really bad at guessing things, but that other people are really bad at giving people millions of dollars to be in sex movies.
So what was my response to the news that Charlie Hunnam and Dakota Johnson had been cast as Fifty’s Christian and Ana?
1. Wait, we’re still doing this?
2. Who are these people OMG I DON’T HAVE INTERNET HERE.
3. *anticlimactic sigh*
We’ve all long since learned that Fifty Shades of Grey is the skunk weed gateway drug to amazing erotica, and while part of me is like, how about we table this and just make a Harry Potter Where Are They Now, the other part does feel sentimental and wants to see this whole thing through.
I don’t watch Sons of Anarchy (yes I know, I will eventually, pinky swear), so I have zero feelings about Charlie Hunnam. Like none, other than, you know, my picks were obviously way better. But, I looked him up on youtube and he looks like a good actor who can tackle troubling roles, he’s pretty, probably cleans up well, and although he seems a little older than what I pictured Christian to be in my head, I’m not ready to post-game riot about it just yet.
Dakota Johnson, however… was no one else available? Was Bai Ling busy, because she’ll be in almost anything and honestly, she’d be a more believable Ana Steele. I’ve seen Dakota Johnson in Ben & Kate and 21 Jump Street (which is hysterical, btw), and yeah, not feeling this one. For me, she plays a little too old for Ana, and a touch too ethereal. I blame all her previous roles as being those of a mature, responsible adult person. I picture Ana, in my opinion the annoying pinnacle of poor life decisions, to be young, dark, bull headed and unnecessarily complicated.
I haven’t signed any petitions or sent E.L. James a box with Gwenyth Paltrow’s head in it… yet. But, I’m disappointed. (Imagine me saying that in the same voice your parents use when they find out you did something shitty, but they’re too fucking tired to get into it, so they resort to emotional warfare.)
I’m disappointed.
I’m Fifty Shades of PISSED!
I like your pics better. I, too, an disappointed. While I’ve never seen SOA either, I can’t picture a biker as Christian. Sigh. Ana’s choice doesn’t bother as much…but yours was still better. And this movie won’t be as good anyway…or it will be premiering at a whole different type of theater. You know, the type pee-wee herman goes to.
I am a big fan of Charlie (Autum shares this love as well, go figure lol) and I’m not too familiar with the chic that was chosen, but I do think that this movie is going to be a let down. I mean come on…how do you put all that was in the book, into a movie?! They always leave so much out and it ends up not holding a candle to the book. With that said, IMO, it really don’t matter who plays the characters because I have a feeling the movie itself will flop.
BUT I’M STILL GOING TO SEE IT!! <~~~which proves another point…people will flock to see it even if they don't agree with the casting lol.
I read somewhere recently that the screenwriter is pushing/campaigning the studio for an NC-17 rating approval, so IF (monstrously large “if” here) that’s true, maybe there is some hope for the movie being sexy enough to make fans happier than they are now?
I feel some disappointment about the casting, but like you, I’m still absolutely going to see it!! :) Keeping my expectations low in the hopes that I’ll be pleasantly surprised….
The fact that they didn’t choose Ian Somerhalder just tells me they’re probably going to muck up the whole movie. They’ve already made horrible decisions.
I have a friend who was part of the decision making process during the casting, and there were many factors that played into choosing the cast, but he has said that the biggest was onscreen chemistry during the auditions. Apparently they had what it takes to keep it hot. :)
Except their faces. I like to watch hot people do it. lol
I’m not upset by the Christian Grey pick…but, I agree with you whole heartly (sp?) with Dakota as Ana. I saw her picture and I thought she looks too old for her to play Ana. I imagined her as a young, naive college student, who’s life is a bit of a mess, brunette, etc. She is not at all who I pictured. Oh well.
I too am disappointed the the choices of Christian and Ana. I will see the movie regardless, but they movie never measures up to my interpretation of the books.
If you’re interested in a better written series of books, you definitely need to read “the original sinners” series by Tiffany Reisz. You will not be disappointed!
Britt -as always love your posts/pictures and crazy life!
I don’t have that big of an option here but do plan to make a girls night out of going to see the movie when it comes out. I am totally ok (maybe a little excited) about the choice for Christian… Jax (Charlie) is completely sexy and I think will do this role justice. I know so little about Dakota so I’m willing to give her a shot as well. I’m interested to see what they do with these movies and how successful they really are. I think anyone involved is ballsy as it is a big risk but, if they pull it off, it will be a big accomplishment!
Omg I love Charlie hunam and not because of soa rent green street hooligans it is seriously the only movie where I hated the ending but loved the movie and watched it or and over an over seriously he is so sexy in that movie and love the accent
Charlie is an amazing actor (at least he is very easy on the eyes). It’s just a shame he can’t speak with his normal accent in this movie, it makes him even more attractive. He looks really really young when he is clean shaven and short-ish cropped hair. See ‘Undeclared’ and ‘3.2.1.Frankie Go Boom’. I still can’t picture him as Christian. However he most likely won’t shy away from the nakedness since he has done so much of it for SOA.
i didn’t read 50 shades, but i heard it was the twilight of smut. in this case does it really matter who plays ana? spankings will happen, people. it’s not the good stuff like sinners or wallbangers, but it’s probably worth watching. though..i might wait for dvd. picturing pee wee in a trench somewhere in the multiplex. freaking out.
I posted about this on my FB page…. And the Charlie Hunnam obsessors near bit my head off!! Though I love me some SoA and “Jax” ( which! Really!! Is THE sexiest name I have ever heard! And,also… Should NEVER be a name for a baby FOR that reason! I don’t want to have to mentally register myself as a sex offender every time I meet someone’s cute new baby JAX! Just! No!!) I can’t get behind CH as Mr Grey! He’s actually Too “not tall” enough for my thoughts as Christian. It’s also hard for my brain to make the jump from the jeans, white T, Biker vest, crisp white K Swiss/Skate sneaker wearing guy to the billionaire suit and tie character of CG.
As far as Dakota Johnson as Ana….. I’m Parkoring the shit outta this! I’m on the fence, over the fence, jumping it and never touching ground! I always felt whoever played Ana needed to be young, obscure, understatedly attractive and dumb as a box of rocks. I see some of those things in DJ , and then it flies so far to the other side that my brain starts to hurt and I want to strangle myself with a grey tie without ANY of the pleasure that should accompany it!
I’m waiting with baited breath to see the entire cast to see if my brain can even wrap itself around paying the Eleventymillion dollars to see it in the theatre!
Sighhhhhhh……
Totally agree with you about Charlie Hunnam. Super hot, but he doesn’t seem tall enough. And I am a huge SOA fan and I cannot picture him clean cut with an expensive suit on… I will continually see him in his SOA outfit (which works for him, except the stupid tennis shoes… why can’t he wear boots?).
As for Dakota Johnson, I don’t really like her as actress and I don’t see her as Ana. However, she plays annoying really well and Ana is pretty annoying, so maybe it will work.
You know? I don’t have a problem with this. I’m keeping an open mind. I’ve watched a few seasons of SOA and 21 Jump Street. I’m gunna let it ride and pre-game before going to see it. The only difference between Jax and my mental Christian, is that Jax is too small. I think he’d have to gain about 20 pounds of lean muscle and grow 4 inches. Oh wait… that’s just my personal taste in men…. harharhar
I also have to say… your picks are spot on.
The two leads are blonder than I would’ve pictured (My Christian pick was Matt Bomer). And yes, Dakota Johnson playing youthful Ana seems like a massive stretch. Let’s see what magic can be performed with hair and make up. If pigtails make an appearance, I’m walking out.
Don’t watch Sons of Anarchy unless you can devote days of sitting on your butt. I watched the first 5 seasons while I was on vacation. It was like heroin. I couldn’t stop. It’s fantastic, but you really need to be in a body cast and unable to move or nothing else will get done. Seriously. It’s good.
I still have yet to read this. I guess I should borrow them from my Mother In Law before the movie hits. There is so much wrong with those first two sentences.
Love Charlie Hunnam, but I cannot see him as Christian. Armie Hammer or Ian S. or even Alex Pettyfer would be more logical picks.
I pictured someone like Elizabeth Olson in the Ana roll… The younger sister of the Olson twins. She has such an innocent look to her and she is a good actress.
OMG that is exactly who I pictured for Taylor when reading the books!
All your picks are way better & right on. I’m pretty disgusted by the SOA guy b/c he is not that cute & he’s so DIRTY looking. Totally ruins it for me.
Love Charlie Hunnam. I’m definitely not complaining about seeing him in some seriously sexy movie scenes. So even though, he wasn’t my pick – Channing Tatum won that role in my heart – I can live with this.
As for Dakota Johnson I’m still going “WHO?” And even though I keep reading that she was in 21 Jump Street, I still don’t know who she is. Of course, I was probably too busy staring/drooling/fanaticizing about Channing to notice there was a girl in the same scene.
I won’t not watch this.
Did you see “The Five Year Engagement”? If so, Dakota Johnson was the annoying girl who dated Jason Segel’s character after he and Emily Blunt’s character broke up.
Would it be possible to send E.L. James Gywneth Paltrow’s head in a box? Could you do that for me? And by me, I mean all mankind.
Yep, I’m totally just as disappointed as you are. He just looks dirty. Dirty as in haven’t bathed, hoboish type of dirty. Not the good I want to spank you with random objects dirty.
And her, just old. She looks way too old to play the part. Your picks are way better and obviously the casting folks should hire you.
Because of my deep attachment I have no choice but to see the movie because naturally I must know how they act those sex scenes out.
So I know it’s been cast – but have you all seen Scott Eastwood – oh my good lord! who know how his acting is – but man he is easy on the eyes and so much more!
http://www.buzzfeed.com/tommywes/clint-eastwoods-son-is-super-hot
Yes, I saw this the other day and boy, oh boy….
My pick too!
Soooo when are we gonna talk about the recent switcheroo when these dumbs cast Jamie Dornan as the new Christian? I had JUST gotten used to Charlie, and they switched him out with Jamie. Ugh seriously? This just made it worse.
Seriously, I could probably take almost anyone as Christian, I just cannot get behind this Ana. At all.