Big, big news today for "Fifty Shades of Grey" fans! Author E.L. James announced on Twitter that the highly anticipated movie has a release date - August 1, 2014. This news comes just weeks after Sam Taylor-Johnson was announced as director. James also tweeted a picture recently that she was at Universal Studios in California which many fans took to mean that things were finally starting to happen. So now that a release date has been announced and a director has been assigned, maybe in the very near future official casting news will start to be announced as well. The rumor going around is that before the role of Christina Grey is revealed, Focus Features and Universal Studios will announce who will play Anastasia Steele first.
In light of such fantastic news, we'll recap who are the top contenders rumored to play Anastasia Steele.
Alexis Bledel
Since casting rumors began the "Gilmore Girls" actress seems to have remained as the number one contender for the role of Christian Grey's love interest. In a recent poll by Lovehoney, a British sex toy site, Bledel along with Ian Somerhalder were two of the highest ranked stars to play the couple. Fans believe Bledel has the innocent look of a recent college-grad who becomes Grey's leading lady. She has often been paired with Somerhalder and fan-favorite Matt Bomer.
Emilia Clarke
Clarke has reportedly beat out fan-favorites such as Alexis Bledel, Emma Watson and Felicity Jones in many online polls. According to International Business Times, the "Game of Thrones" actress is described as "both innocent and sweet" but also has the potential to become completely "badass." With long dark hair and big blue eyes, Clarke very well may be able to pull of playing Steele in "Fifty Shades of Grey."
Lucy Hale
The "Pretty Little Liars" star is another name that has come up several times. Fans not only think she has the right look but they seem to like the fact that she has plays a similar role on the hit show. Hale's character, Aria, is a shy, quiet yet mature woman who ends up falling for an older man. Fans have also created trailers and movie posters with this actress paired with Somerhalder.
Amber Heard
She has also been mentioned a few times in the polls but fans aren't quite sold on Heard. Some feel she may not be able to pull of the young, innocent look but if she is cast she might not have any problems stripping for the camera since she has bared it all in movies such as "The Informers" and "The Rum Diary."
Other names that have been mentioned to play Anastasia Steele are Kristin Kreuk, Elizabeth Olsen, Minka Kelly, Bella Heathcote, Melissa Benoist, Selena Gomez and Shailene Woodley.
So "Fifty Shades of Grey" fans, what do you think of the latest news?
