50 Shades of Grey Has Been Cast! (Finally)

Hello bloggies,

    Welcome to my blog on pop culture Wednesday! The big news of the week? The movie 50 Shades of Grey has finally been cast! (cue the cheers of moms and young women everywhere). Now, while it is still unclear what approach the movie will be taking, the lead roles will finally have a face associated with the name! Charlie Hunnam will be playing the role of Christian Grey and Anastasia Steele will be played by Dakota Johnson.  Charlie Hunnam is most known for his role in the television series Sons of Anarchy and Dakota Johnson has had some small roles in films such as 21 Jump Street, The Social Network, and The Five Year Engagement. Johnson has only held minor roles and this movie could be the start to a career as a staring actress.

    The casting of the two main roles comes as a shock to many, seeing as neither were originally considered for the roles in the eyes of the media. For the role of Christian Grey many had said Ian Somerhalder (The Vampire Diaries), or Matt Boomer were highly likely to get the coveted role. Many people had also wondered if Emma Watson (Harry Potter Series, Perks of Being a Wallflower), Lucy Hale (Pretty Little Liars), Nina Dobrev (The Vampire Diaries) and even Jennifer Lawrence (The Hunger Games) were going to play Anastasia Steele.

    While Hunnam and Johnson will no doubt make a great film, it seems as if the decision was made on the fly. The two had never even been discussed as candidates for the role in the media! With the casting of Hunnam and Johnson comes controversy to those who adored the book as well. Petitions have already started and are being circulated around social media sites such as Twitter and Facebook. With news to the petitioning the producer and director have gone on to state their confidence in the two. Let's face it, they wouldn't have been chosen if the director didn't have full faith in their abilities to fully portray the role. Honestly, a well known, A-list actor/actress would not have been cast anyway. The book is provocative and most celebrities do not want to put themselves in the situation. After all, no one has any idea how the movie will be shot (R rated or otherwise).

    The casting of the two roles brings about another topic...the release date! The film is set to release August 1, 2014. With a release date in site many are anxious to see the book be brought to light. While the book has received many negative views, it has also received and immense fanbase and support. The book has also paved the way for more literature in this genre to become more appropriate in certain age groups as well. Although many critiques simply trash the book and call it "mommy porn", there is a story line in there as well (yes, there is, dig deep enough). Anastasia falls deeply in love with Christian, a man who doesn't know how to just love someone. Christian was brought up by his foster parents after an abusive start to life and that lifestyle carried over to his adulthood, especially with the help of his former relationship with the "evil" Mrs. Robinson. Anastasia and Christian fight with each other, hate each other, but in a weird twisted way are still drawn to each others' sides like flies to a piece of sweet fruit.

    In the end, it is up to the director and on August 1st we will see if the roles were correctly portrayed. But for now, read the book, enjoy the world, and get excited for 50 Shades of Grey!

xoxo Just Your Average Girl