Rumors over the lead roles in the film adaptation of E.L. James' erotic thriller '50 Shades of Grey' have a new contender for the role of Anastasia Steele. Fans have added 'Twilight' starlet Ashley Greene to the ever-growing list of fan favorites for the role of innocent yet seductive college student Ana.
Greene, who plays vampire Alice Cullen in the 'Twilight Saga' films, has been mentioned before but not as a top contender for the role. According to Examiner, the 25-year-old actress "certainly looks the part of Anastasia Steele" and "is the right age and build to be Ana".
However, whether '50 Shades' author E.L. James wants a 'Twilight' connection remains to be seen. Examiner reported that despite drawing inspiration from the 'Twilight' films, James has said that she does not want Robert Pattinson and Kristen Stewart, who are the lead characters in 'Twilight', to play a role in the film adaptation of her bestselling novel.
The 'Twilight' actress joins a long list of actresses vying for the highly coveted role in the popular series. Actresses in the list include Alexis Bledel, Nina Dobrev, Alexandra Daddario, Emma Watson, Mila Kunis, Lucy Hale and others. Bledel, of 'Gilmore Girls' fame, has been a top contender among fans, with fans overwhelmingly voting for her in the last Latinos Post poll.
Casting for the role of Christian Grey, the 27-year-old millionaire dominant lover of Anastasia, has also had its share of rumors. Among the actors being promoted by fans are Matt Bomer, Ian Somerhalder, Henry Cavill, Alexander Skarsgard, Chace Crawford and Jared Padalecki.
Although 'White Collar' actor Matt Bomer led the latest poll by Latinos Post with 51.36 percent of the votes, he has seen stiff competition from 'Vampire Diaries' actor Ian Somerhalder, who earned 28.8 percent of the votes.
James has reportedly said that casting decisions for the first film will take some time, meaning that fans might have to wait a bit to find out who will be playing Christian and Ana. The film is currently in its pre-production phase and counts on 'Terra Nova' creator Kelly Marcel as its screenwriter and on Mike De Luca and Dana Brunetti as its producers.
The Universal Pictures and Focus Films movie has not set a release date for the first film in the series yet.