It's been a year since the Fifty Shades of Grey franchise came to an end, but we're still stoking the fire. To be honest, we're still obsessed with the Fifty Shades Darker soundtrack [1], and Fifty Shades Freed wasn't half bad [2]. You might now forever see Jamie Dornan as Christian and Dakota Johnson [3] as Ana, but did you know there were a ton of other actors up for the roles? Take a look at the contenders like Charlie Hunnam [4], Shailene Woodley, and more stars who were almost cast in the racy film!
Ryan Gosling
Ryan Gosling [6] "was the original prototype for the 27-year-old billionaire with a penchant for S&M, but he was not interested," according to an enlightening piece by The Hollywood Reporter [7]. Dreams: shattered.
Shailene Woodley
Shailene Woodley was one of E L James's early favorites, according to THR, but the actress's press schedule for Divergent conflicted with the filming of the movie. Interestingly, sources say she "wasn't afraid of the nudity in the film's explicit sex scenes."
Garrett Hedlund
Garrett Hedlund, heavily courted by Universal for the role of Christian, was this close to nabbing the lead. However, The Hollywood Reporter said he passed "because he couldn't connect with the character."
Felicity Jones
Like Crazy's Felicity Jones drew interest for the role, "but at 30 is too old to play a 21-year-old college student," according to The Hollywood Reporter.
Christian Cooke
British TV star Christian Cooke was considered for the role of Christian, said THR. Too bad he didn't get it; he already had the name down.
Elizabeth Olsen
The Hollywood Reporter said Elizabeth Olsen was considered.
Alicia Vikander
Swedish actress Alicia Vikander (Anna Karenina) was also on the short list, according to THR's sources.
Imogen Poots
The Hollywood Reporter revealed that British actress Imogen Poots (Greetings From Tim Buckley) was considered for the role of Anastasia.
Robert Pattinson
Author Bret Easton Ellis tweeted [8] that "E L James and I were at Rob Pattinson's house when she admitted that Rob was first choice for Christian." He also commented that fan favorite Ian Somerhalder [9] was "never in [the] running."
Charlie Hunnam
Charlie Hunnam was initially cast as Christian Grey [10], but he dropped out [11], citing scheduling issues.
Lucy Hale
Pretty Little Liars [12] star Lucy Hale told Cosmopolitan [13] that her audition for the movie was "very, very sexual." She didn't end up with the part, but she did say, "it's one of those things where you have to commit wholeheartedly or you're going to make a fool of yourself."
Emilia Clarke
Game of Thrones star Emilia Clarke divulged that she turned down Fifty Shades of Grey [14] because of the nudity it would have required. "Well, Sam [Taylor-Johnson, the director] is a magician. I love her, and I thought her vision was beautiful. But the last time that I was naked on camera on [Game of Thrones] was a long time ago, and yet it is the only question that I ever get asked because I am a woman," Clarke told The Hollywood Reporter about turning down the part. "And it's annoying as hell and I'm sick and tired of it because I did it for the character — I didn't do it so some guy could check out my tits, for God's sake."