“Fifty Shades of Grey” may have dominated the box office this weekend, but it wasn’t exactly easy adapting E.L. James’ best-selling novel for the big screen. While Dakota Johnson and Jamie Dornan ended up playing Anastasia Steele and Christian Grey, respectively, finding the right chemistry between two actors with available schedules proved fairly difficult.
Ian Gavan/Getty Images Dakota Johnson and Jamie Dornan landed the coveted roles of Anastasia Steele and Christian Grey. Initially, “Sons of Anarchy” actor Charlie Hunnam was cast as Christian Grey, but many fans of the book didn’t approve of the choice.
Dimitrios Kambouris / Getty Images Actor Charlie Hunnam dropped out of “Fifty Shades” after being cast. A  petition to recast the movie garnered 20,000 signatures on Change.org, and because of scheduling conflicts and reported clashes between Hunnam and Universal Pictures, Hunnam eventually dropped out of the project.
Chuck Zlotnick/Universal Pictures and Focus Features Jamie Dornan in “Fifty Shades” Amid all of the casting back-and-forth, the film’s producer Dana Brunetti tweeted  somewhat of an explanation :
There is a lot that goes into casting that isn’t just looks. Talent, availability, their desire to do it, chemistry with other actor, etc ⦠So if your favorite wasn’t cast, then it is most likely due to something on that list. Keep that in mind while hating and keep perspective.
Brunetti was apparently hinting at the handful of actors who actually turned down the leading roles.
While “50 Shades” author E.L. James has said actor Ryan Gosling  was the original prototype for Christian Grey, he doesn’t do sequels.
“50 Shades” is a guaranteed trilogy.
REUTERS/Yves Herman “50 Shades” author E.L. James has said actor Ryan Gosling was the original prototype for Christian Grey. Before Hunnam got the gig, Garrett Hedlund reportedly turned it down.
“Hedlund was heavily courted by Universal, but the ‘Tron: Legacy’ star passed in July because he couldn’t connect with the character,” according to The Hollywood Reporter .
Frazer Harrison/Getty Images Garrett Hedlund. Backing for “White Collar” actor Matt Bomer was so strong that a petition started by fans  to cast him garnered almost 100,000 signatures.
Getty Images / Frazer Harrison Fan favorite Matt Bomer. Other actors in the mix included “Magic Mike” star Alex Pettyfer, who auditioned for the role; ” Gossip Girl” actor  Chace Crawford, who publicly said he would “love the challenge” of the role; A lexander SkarsgÃ¥rd, who said on “A ccess Hollywood ” he was “born to play” Christian Grey; and Ian Somerhalder, ” The Vampire Diaries” star, told Ryan Seacrest that being cast “would be an incredible thing. Hopefully that could pan out.”
