The Best-selling saucy novel "50 Shades of Grey" is going to be adapted into a movie and now it has got its lead cast Christian Grey and his leading lady Anastasia Steel.
The Author of the novel E.L. James announced Monday that British Actor Charlie Hunnam will play Christian Grey, the young billionaire businessman and a helicopter enthusiast and American Actress Dakota Johnson will play his love interest Anastasia Steele in the film adaptation of the British author’s best-selling series.
“Fifty Shades of Grey” centers on the relationship of 27-year-old billionaire Christian Grey with shy college student Anastasia Steele.
James, whose real name is Erika Mitchell, has been speculating with her fans for months on her Twitter account about who would play the coveted roles. But on Labor Day, the author revealed to her 350,000 followers that Johnson would play Ana and an hour later said the stunning Hunnam would be Mr. Grey.
Hunnam, the 33-year-old, who most recently starred in science-fiction flick Pacific Rim, is known for potraying protagonist Jax Teller in the US biker drama series Sons of Anarchy. The Actor also had roles in Children of Men, Green Street Hooligans, Queer as Folk and Undeclared.
Johnson, the 23-year-old who made a cameo in The Office finale as Kevin's replacement, is best known for her role in Fox sitcom “Ben & Kate.” She also had roles in Crazy in Alabama, 21 Jump Street, The Social Network and The Five-Year Engagement.
Johnson is the daughter of actors Don Johnson and Melanie Griffith.
Both the Actors had to do a 'chemistry read,' meaning a scene on video, and Charlie took several tests with various actresses; he wanted to know who his co-star was before giving his nod to the project, according to The Wrap.
The Fifty Shades trilogy, is the fastest-selling paperback of all time and has sold more than 70 million copies in ebook and print worldwide in 50 languages.
The novel and its two sequels, Fifty Shades Darker and Fifty Shades Freed, have earned James, 50, a reported $95m (£61.5m) last year.
The movie will release on Aug. 1, 2014, and will be directed by Sam Taylor-Johnson.
Universal and Focus acquired the rights to the three books in the “Fifty Shades of Grey” trilogy in March 2012.
Here's how James used Twitter on Monday to announce the lead roles.
“I am delighted to let you know that the lovely Dakota Johnson has agreed to be our Anastasia in the film adaptation of Fifty Shades of Grey,” she wrote Monday afternoon.
Then she added, “The gorgeous and talented Charlie Hunnam will be Christian Grey in the film adaptation of Fifty Shades of Grey.”
Check out the video below where James speaks about the book and the movie:
For more information you can also see the official Fifty Shades of Grey Facebook page: http://www.facebook.com/fiftyshadesofgreymovie.