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'Fifty Shades of Grey' movie leads announced
Bryan Alexander, USA TODAY2:25 p.m. EDT September 2, 2013
Dakota Johnson lands the key role of Anastasia Steele, Charlie Hunnam as Christian Grey in the film adaptation of E.L. James' 'Fifty Shades of Grey.'
The most sought-after roles in Hollywood have been filled.
Dakota Johnson will star as Anastasia Steele and Charlie Hunnam as Christian Grey in the highly anticipated film adaptation of Fifty Shades of Grey.
Author E.L. James announced the news on Monday morning in a number of bombshell tweets. She started with Johnson, the daughter of Melanie Griffith and Don Johnson. Distributor Focus Features confirmed it shortly thereafter.
"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," the first tweet said, ending months of breathless speculation.
Dakota Johnson has been cast in 'Fifty Shades of Grey.'(Photo: Michael Tran FilmMagic)
Moments later James wrote, "The gorgeous and talented Charlie Hunnam will be Christian Grey in the film adaptation of Fifty Shades of Grey."
Charlie Hunnam will play the role Christian Grey in "Fifty Shades of Grey."(Photo: Focus Features)
The breakthrough announcements over the holiday weekend were the first for the film based on the international best seller, which will be released on Aug. 1, 2014. The two roles have been a longtime source of speculation on the Internet.
As James tweeted before the Monday madness, "Good moaning all. Hold on to your hats..."
The film adaptation is being directed by Sam Taylor-Johnson and produced by Michael De Luca and Dana Brunetti alongside James.
Johnson starred in a memorable, but minor, role in 2010's The Social Network, which De Luca and Brunetti were producers.
Her subsequent roles include Need for Speed, 21 Jump Street and The Five-Year Engagement.
She also starred as Kate in the 2012-13 comedy series Ben and Kate. She is currently shooting a new adaptation of Cymbeline.
The British Hunnam currently stars as Jackson "Jax" Teller on the FX series Sons of Anarchy. His feature film credits include Pacific Rim, Children of Men, Cold Mountainand Nicholas Nickleby.
Subsequent novels in the series, Fifty Shades Darker and Fifty Shades Freed in the global best-selling trilogy explore the couple's deepening relationship.
Bryan Alexander, USA TODAY2:25 p.m. EDT September 2, 2013
Dakota Johnson lands the key role of Anastasia Steele, Charlie Hunnam as Christian Grey in the film adaptation of E.L. James' 'Fifty Shades of Grey.'
The most sought-after roles in Hollywood have been filled.
Dakota Johnson will star as Anastasia Steele and Charlie Hunnam as Christian Grey in the highly anticipated film adaptation of Fifty Shades of Grey.
Author E.L. James announced the news on Monday morning in a number of bombshell tweets. She started with Johnson, the daughter of Melanie Griffith and Don Johnson. Distributor Focus Features confirmed it shortly thereafter.
"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," the first tweet said, ending months of breathless speculation.
Moments later James wrote, "The gorgeous and talented Charlie Hunnam will be Christian Grey in the film adaptation of Fifty Shades of Grey."
The breakthrough announcements over the holiday weekend were the first for the film based on the international best seller, which will be released on Aug. 1, 2014. The two roles have been a longtime source of speculation on the Internet.
As James tweeted before the Monday madness, "Good moaning all. Hold on to your hats..."
The film adaptation is being directed by Sam Taylor-Johnson and produced by Michael De Luca and Dana Brunetti alongside James.
Johnson starred in a memorable, but minor, role in 2010's The Social Network, which De Luca and Brunetti were producers.
Her subsequent roles include Need for Speed, 21 Jump Street and The Five-Year Engagement.
She also starred as Kate in the 2012-13 comedy series Ben and Kate. She is currently shooting a new adaptation of Cymbeline.
The British Hunnam currently stars as Jackson "Jax" Teller on the FX series Sons of Anarchy. His feature film credits include Pacific Rim, Children of Men, Cold Mountainand Nicholas Nickleby.
Subsequent novels in the series, Fifty Shades Darker and Fifty Shades Freed in the global best-selling trilogy explore the couple's deepening relationship.
