The "Fifty Shades of Grey" casting carousel has been going 'round and 'round for months, with so many names thrown out that it's a wonder there are any actors or actresses left in Hollywood who haven't been mentioned as a possible Christian Grey or Anastasia Steele.
But the search may soon be over -- possibly in just a matter of weeks, reports Variety. With production expected to start in October, Universal and Focus Features are narrowing in on the right stars to headline the highly anticipated adaptation of E.L. James's steamy novel.
Sources tell Variety that the studios and director Sam Taylor-Johnson are particularly interested in Alicia Vikander, Imogen Poots, Shailene Woodley, and Dakota Johnson for the role of young, naive Anastasia.
Meanwhile, the plum part of Christian Grey could still be filled by "Sons of Anarchy" and "Pacific Rim" star Charlie Hunnam. Variety says Hunnam initially passed on the role, but is reconsidering.
The studios have also met with Christian Cooke ("Magic City") and Theo James ("Divergent"), though both actors are a bit younger than the early 30s target age.
Once "Fifty Shades of Grey" finds its stars, it will begin shooting later this fall for an August 1, 2014, release.
[via Variety]
