Thursday, December 26, 2024

50 Shades of Grey Casting Dilemma: Somerhalder, Skarsgard, Fan Faves “Too Old”

The search for a Christian Grey continues after Charlie Hunnam wisely bowed out. But rabid fans who have an idea of a favorite actor may still be disappointed. Sources say that some of the actors who the fans like are either too old or out of the running. For example: “True Blood” star Alexander Skarsgard is out. “He’s too old,” says a Hollywood manager who has a client peripherally in the mix.

“Vampire Diaries” star Ian Somerhalder is also out, even though he put on a summer long campaign to get the role. According to my source, the author of the book “didn’t want him.” Amazing, huh? She’s not exactly Margaret Mitchell (author of “Gone with the Wind”). “He’s too old.” As with everything Hollywood, they’re looking for younger, younger, younger. (Maybe someone from Nickelodeon?)

Wow–you’d think they were hunting for Hamlet or MacBeth. Isn’t this just handcuffs, huffing and puffing?

Not so, warns a friend of mine who loves this book. Maybe no one can ever live up to the imaginations of millions of women who’ve fantasized Christian Grey knotting his tie.

Whoever is chosen, the producers must be certain. They are planning to make three movies (yeezus!) out of this literary, er, classic.

Roger Friedman
Roger Friedmanhttps://www.showbiz411.com
Roger Friedman began his Showbiz411 column in April 2009 after 10 years with Fox News, where he created the Fox411 column. His movie reviews are carried by Rotten Tomatoes, and he is a member of both the movie and TV branches of the Critics Choice Awards. His articles have appeared in dozens of publications over the years including New York Magazine, where he wrote the Intelligencer column in the mid 90s and covered the OJ Simpson trial, and Fox News (when it wasn't so crazy) where he covered Michael Jackson. He is also the writer and co-producer of "Only the Strong Survive," a selection of the Cannes, Sundance, and Telluride Film festivals, directed by DA Pennebaker and Chris Hegedus.

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