While there was some positive response for the casting news, the internet backlash quickly began. Fan favourites for the parts included Ian Somerhalder and Matt Bomer for Christian Grey, and Alexis Bledel and Mila Kunis as Ana Steele.
Almost immediately after the news, a petition popped up on change.org demanding that Bomer and Bledel be cast in the parts instead. The page 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 Bomerettes in the world NEED those actors. They always will be for us the Christian Grey and Anastasia Steele. WE CAN DO ANYTHING GUYS, ANYTHING."
As of 8pm EST on September 5th, over 57,000 signatures have been registered. In response to the backlash, producers stood behind the decision saying that far more goes into casting then simply how an actor looks.
Hunnam's friends have also spoke out in defense of his casting - his 'Pacific Rim' co-star Charlie Day said:
"First of all, I think he's going to do fantastic because he's a great actor and a handsome guy. And when you're seeing a movie about sex, you want a handsome guy. On top of that, he's a good actor, so I think he's going to do a great job."
With the full support of E L James (who had a huge influence in the casting choices) the film will soon begin production. 'Fifty Shades of Grey' will hit theatres on August 1st, 2014.
Twitter: @Stepherland