Rumors have circulated for months over who will nab the coveted role of Christian Grey in the upcoming film adaptation of E.L. James' bestselling erotic thriller '50 Shades of Grey.' Numerous actors have been thrown in the mix of contenders, but only a few have been constant top picks among fans.
'White Collar' actor Matt Bomer and 'The Vampire Diaries' actor Ian Somerhalder have been persistent nominees for the role of sexy millionaire Christian Grey. Thirty-five year old Bomer has largely remained quite about the rumors, but 33-year-old Somerhalder has hinted at being interested in the role.
The two actors are joined by fellow recurring contenders Henry Cavill ('Man of Steel'), Channing Tatum ('Magic Mike'), Stephen Amell ('Arrow') and Alexander Skarsgard ('True Blood'). Cavill and Skarsgard have been rising in popularity among fans, making them tough competition for Bomer and Somerhalder. Tatum and Amell, who have both professed interest in the role, could also prove to be viable choices for the role.
Rounding out the top 10 contenders for 2012 are Michael Fassbender ('Prometheus'), Chace Crawford ('Gossip Girl'), Nicholas Hoult ('X-Men: First Class') and Ryan Gosling ('Crazy, Stupid, Love'). Each has been mentioned in the past but has failed to take off as a viable contender.
Despite continued speculation, it may be a while before James and the production team behind '50 Shades' makes any casting decisions. Universal Pictures and Focus Films, which obtained the rights to the film earlier this year, has confirmed that producers Mike De Luca and Dana Brunetti and screenwriter Kelly Marcel have signed on to the project.
As of December, the first film of the series, '50 Shades of Grey,' does not have a scheduled theatrical release.
