It’s the film role that all of Hollywood is talking about, with everyone from Ryan Gosling to Zac Efron rumoured to be in the running. But it seems that British actor Alex Pettyfer could currently be the frontrunner to play the sought after part of Christian Grey in the film adaptation of E.L James’s best-selling erotic novel. The 23-year-old has filmed a sex scene as the character for a Fifty Shades Of Grey test film directed by acclaimed director Gus Van Sant, in a bid to impress producers.
And American director Van Sant, who was behind Good Will Hunting and Milk, has chosen the rising Brit star to step into the coveted shoes of Mr Grey for his test. According to The Wrap, Alex and an undisclosed actress shot a scene in which the story’s lead female character Anastasia Steele loses her virginity to the enigmatic protagonist.
Using the Magic Mike actor for the test doesn’t mean that Van Sant would necessarily use him should he secure the film, but the rising star would see his profile skyrocket should he bag the role.
The phenomenal popularity of the trilogy of books, which have sold more than 70 million copies worldwide, means that the film adaptations are certain to be a hit at the box office. While the majority of US production companies put in bids to win the right to the novels last year, Universal Pictures and Focus Features eventually won, reportedly spending upwards of $3 million.
While Kelly Marcel is writing the screenplay, British author James reportedly hand-picked producers for the film, deciding on Michael De Luca and Dana Brunetti, who worked together on #The Social Network.
A number of high profile actors and actresses are supposedly being discusses for the lead roles, although studio bosses have remained tight-lipped over any speculation. With the biggest audience to please being the fans of the books, names in the mix include Michael Fassbender, Emma Stone, Henry Cavill and Elizabeth Olsen. Alex might not be as well known as some of the other contenders, but he recently impressed Universal bosses so much that they cast him as the lead in forthcoming romantic film Endless Love. Emma Watson, who was rumoured to play Anastasia, denied the claims via her Twitter account last month.
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