B-list Stars for ’50 Shades of Grey’ Film

Dakota Johnson and Charlie Hunnam get the lead roles for the movie based on the erotic novel

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12th Annual Chrysalis Butterfly Ball
Jason LaVeris / FilmMagic

The relatively low-profile actors Dakota Johnson and Charlie Hunnam are set to star in the upcoming movie adaptation of the popular erotic novel Fifty Shades of Grey.

The casting news, revealed in Monday Twitter posts by the author of the novel, are the first sneak peek into the coming series of films based on the international best-selling series by E.L. James. Neither actor has been a lead in a major film to date. Johnson has previously had minor roles in The Social Network and 21 Jump Street. She also played the lead-role of Kate in the short-lived comedy series Ben and Kate. Hunnam currently stars as Jax Teller on the FX series Sons of Anarchy.  

Industry insiders have speculated for months over who would secure two of the most coveted roles in Hollywood. Emma Watson, Shailene Woodley and Analeigh Tipton were all rumored for the lead female role of Anastasia, an innocent college student who enters into a lewd relationship with Grey. Robert Pattinson, Armie Hammer and True Blood‘s Alexander Skarsgard were rumored to be in contention for the roles of Grey.

Johnson and Hunnam will presumably sign on for films based on all three books.