After a long trail of rumours and speculation, Universal studios finally announced today that Dakota Johnson will play the role of shy college student Anastasia Steele in the much anticipated movie adaptation of EL James’ best-selling erotic fiction series, Fifty Shades of Grey.
A few hours later, James announced that ‘Sons of Anarchy’ and ‘Pacific Rim’ star Charlie Hunnam will play Christian Grey, the 27 year old billionaire/S&M junkie.
The movie will be directed by Sam Taylor-Johnson, is produced by Dana Brunetti and Michael De Luca, who also produced ‘The Social Network’ which Dakota Johnson also starred in.
She is best known for role as a single mother in Fox’s sitcom ‘Ben and Kate’, which lasted for half a season in 2012. She also made an appearance in 21 Jump Street which also starred Channing Tatum. She is the daughter of Melanie Griffith and Don Johnson (Miami Vice and Django Unchained).
Hunnam ,32, started his career with a run on ‘Queer as Folk’, participating in scenes that made him aptly prepared for his new role. He then transitioned into comedy, as Jay Baruchel’s dreamy British roommate in the short-lived Apatow college sitcom ‘Undeclared’.
He rose to fame as the main character in a motorcycle gang drama ‘Sons of Anarchy’, his contributions landed him the lead role in Guillermo Del Toro’s ‘Pacific Rim’.