Fifty Shades of Grey: Matt Bomer responds to petition against film's casting

Fifty Shades of Grey: Matt Bomer responds to petition against film's casting

Matt Bomer has responded to a Change.org petition that is campaigning for him to replace Charlie Hunnam as Christian Grey in the forthcoming Fifty Shades of Grey film.

The petition, which also wants actress Dakota Johnson replaced by Alexis Bledel, has so far clocked up nearly 63,000 signatures.

When asked by ETonline at the fifth season premiere of White Collar what he thought about all the fuss, Bomer said:

"I'm so grateful for the fans and touched. I'm looking forward to seeing the movie with Charlie and Dakota."

Now there's a lesson in diplomacy. (G20 summit take note.)

Dakota and Charlie: at least 63,000 people don't think they should be invited into the red room of pain

 

When author EL James broke the news via Twitter that Hunnam and Johnson had been cast as sex-obsessed billionaire Grey and naive student Ana there was some disgruntled muttering across social media networks which quickly picked up pace.

Many fans feel that neither Charlie nor Dakota aptly represent the characters that drove James' SM trilogy to sales of over 70 million copies. 

The explanation for the petition reads:

"Matt Bomer is the PERFECT DESCRIPTION OF CHRISTIAN GREY AND ALEXIS BLEDEL IS THE PERFECT ACTRESS TO REPRESENT ANASTASIA STEELE and if THEY ARE NOT, NOBODY WILL BE And I read the whole trilogy and I can assure that Matt is the perfect actor for this movie and Alexis too. So please PLEASE, all of the GREYsessed and Bome rettes in the world NEED those actors. They always will be for us the Christian Grey and Anastasia Steele. WE CAN DO ANYTHING GUYS, ANYTHING."

Matt and Alexis

 

Bomer has appeared in Magic Mike and In Time and is also known for TV show White Collar. He's topped lots of potential Christian Grey fan polls. Bledel is best known for Gilmore Girls and her role in Sin City.

The producer of the film, Dana Brunetti responded to the outrage that followed the announcement by tweeting:

"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 favourite wasn't cast, then it is most likely due to something on that list. Keep that in mind while hating and keep perspective."

Writer Bret Easton Ellis revealed earlier this year that Rob Pattinson was always the favourite: "EL James and I were at Rob Pattinson's house when she admitted that Rob was first choice for Christian. Ian Somerhalder never in running," he tweeted. "Matt Bomer was [also] never in the running."

Well, he still isn't. The Change.org petition failed to rip the c owl from soon-to-be Batman Ben Affleck's head even though it received 90,000 signatures.