There have been many names tossed into the "50 Shades of Grey" casting hat, but a few soft-spoken contenders have recent resurfaced as contenders for the roles of Anastasia and Christian. "Game of Thrones" star Emilia Clarke has been a long time candidate to play Anastasia Steele, but has recently been overshadowed by the likes of Nina Dobrev and Alexis Bledel. However, Clarke has now sparked new "50 Shades" buzz after potentially linking up with long dormant Christian contender James Franco.
Franco and Clarke were apparently getting nice and cozy at the Frieze Art Fair in New York City this past weekend. If the two were to hook up, that could potentially attract some serious "50 Shades" attention. They would look stunning together in the film, and if their relationship extended off screen, their on screen chemistry would be ferocious to say the least.
Clarke has the wide, vulnerable eyes that define Anastasia and is accustomed to getting down and dirty on camera. She's featured in several hot and heavy scenes in "Game of Thrones." Franco, on the other hand, isn't necessarily a Christian favorite, but he too has plenty experience stripping down on camera, especially in "The Broken Tower." Franco has previously expressed interest in the role if his good friend/coworker Gus Van Sant were to be signed on as director, which is very plausible.
Earlier this year, Franco debuted three erotic films/documentaries called "Kink," "Lovelace," and "Interior. Leather Bar," proving his interest in BDSM and validating him as a potential Christian candidate. During an interview with MTV News earlier this year, Franco said, "[Kink] is for all the '50 Shades of Grey' fans. This is what you're reading about. This is the real thing. This is what it looks like. This isn't the dime store version of bondage. This is what bondage is like."
The "Spring Breakers" actor added, "If you think about the origins of each of these [Sundance] films, it is a coincidence...But if you think about it as there's something in the air-and I do believe there are waves of things that interest filmmakers and people in television-then maybe it's not such a coincidence."
The actor's comments, which all indicate that he believes "50 Shades" is "the dime store version of bondage," may not sit well with fans of the hugely popular series. Whether or not E. L. James or Universal has considered him for Mr. Grey is also unknown, as fans have yet to receive any official casting news from above. Why must they torment us so?
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