Fifty Shades of Grey fans have expressed disappointment at the announcement
That Dakota Johnson and Charlie Hunnam have been cast as the leads for the erotic novel’s film adaptation.
Author EL James, author of the bestselling bondage trilogy, revealed via Twitter that Social Network star Johnson had been given the highly coveted role of Anastasia Steele.
“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 told her 353,000 followers. Minutes later she revealed who would be playing the mysterious male protagonist, Christian Grey. “The gorgeous and talented Charlie Hunnam will be Christian Grey in the film adaptation,” she said.
But while James may have been excited about the casting, fans were lukewarm about the names. “Not impressed. Both too old,” one fan said.
Another wrote: “So not liking this. Henry Cavill is the only actor I had in mind for Christian Grey. I feel so disappointed now.”
One unconvinced Twitter user posted Johnson’s photo side-by-side with Alexis Bledel, one of the top fan favourites for the role.
Emma Watson, Shailene Woodley and Analeigh Tipton had also been mooted to the role.
Fifty Shades of Grey follows a young college student as she embarks on a sadomasochistic relationship with an older businessman, Christian Grey. Its success of made it the fastest selling book of 2012. It has sold more than 70 million copies worldwide.
The announcement of the film adaptation for the mega-hit “Fifty Shades of Grey” sent shockwaves through the internet, but not necessarily positive ones. While the prospect of bringing E.L. James’s steamy novel to life was exciting, the casting choices left many fans with a lukewarm feeling.
Dakota Johnson, then a relatively unknown actress, was chosen to embody the innocent Anastasia Steele. Charlie Hunnam, known for his role on “Sons of Anarchy,” was slated to portray the enigmatic billionaire Christian Grey. While both actors possess undeniable talent, some fans felt a disconnect between their portrayals and the characters they envisioned from the books.
Here’s a breakdown of the fan reaction:
Dakota’s Appeal: Johnson’s youthful innocence was seen as a positive for capturing Anastasia’s initial vulnerability. However, some fans questioned if she possessed the necessary depth to portray Anastasia’s emotional complexities as the story progresses.
Hunnam’s Fit: Hunnam’s brooding intensity was considered a plus for Christian’s mysterious aura. However, concerns arose about whether he could embody the character’s dominant and controlling nature.
Lack of Recognition: For many fans deeply invested in the characters, the casting of relatively unknown actors felt like a departure from their own mental images of Christian and Anastasia.
Dakota’s Appeal: Johnson’s youthful innocence was seen as a positive for capturing Anastasia’s initial vulnerability. However, some fans questioned if she possessed the necessary depth to portray Anastasia’s emotional complexities as the story progresses.
Hunnam’s Fit: Hunnam’s brooding intensity was considered a plus for Christian’s mysterious aura. However, concerns arose about whether he could embody the character’s dominant and controlling nature.
Lack of Recognition: For many fans deeply invested in the characters, the casting of relatively unknown actors felt like a departure from their own mental images of Christian and Anastasia.
The casting news sparked heated discussions online. Some fans expressed their disappointment openly, while others remained cautiously optimistic. The filmmakers, however, defended their choices, emphasizing the importance of on-screen chemistry between the leads.
Ultimately, Dakota Johnson and Charlie Hunnam went on to portray the iconic characters, sparking further debate upon the film’s release. Whether they lived up to the fans’ expectations is a matter of personal opinion, but one thing’s for sure: the casting of “Fifty Shades of Grey” was a gamble that left a significant portion of the fanbase divided.
