I thought I would do a little review of some of the actors who might be up for the role of Christian Grey. I’m discounting things like hair color and physique which can easily be changed. I’m also staying out of the gay thing. I’m also a little flexible on age as makeup can add or remove a FEW years easily.
Ryan Gosling – Probably best known for his work in The Notebook. I watched this movie recently and it was good, but it didn’t blow me away. I watched it thinking about the possibility of Ryan playing Christian and I just didn’t see it. His role in The Notebook didn’t show a wide range of acting skills.
I then went on to watch The Ides of March, Ryan plays a very different character and although his character is no Christian Grey, it did show a whole different set of acting skills. Again, he was good in this movie, but not great.
So then I went and watched Crazy Stupid Love and this movie I thought showed even more of his acting skills. Ryan’s character showed a bit more of a similar character arc as Christian, though not nearly as intense as fiftyish. And he and Emma Stone had a conversation in the movie that was a bit Fifty Shadesesque, until it went down some crazy sappy road, but it was there for a minute.
Between the three movies I could see him do a good job as Christian, but he doesn’t have quite the look I visualize Christian as having and he didn’t look that great in suits in The Ides of March. A month or so ago I predicted that he would get the role, I have no insider knowledge so it’s just a guess. I can live with this choice, but it’s not mine.
Ian Somerhalder - Best known for his role in Vampire Diaries, I had never watched the show before I started this research. But, after just a few episodes I can see why people want him. He’s got a great intensity in his acting that could easily be adjusted to be a Christian Grey and from what I know of his character later in the series he can pull off the more romantic side too. He’s also been in The Rules of Attraction and How to Make Love to a Woman – with titles like that he seems a shoe in.
Alex Pettyfer - Best know for being in Magic Mike, he’s done some other films too but nothing big. When I saw Magic Mike and his name came up in the credits and I realized he was mentioned as a possible Christian I was instantly put off. I just don’t see it in his acting skills or in his looks.
Colin Egglesfield - He was my original choice for Christian. He’s done a lot of TV – All My Children, Rizzoli and Isles, Gilmore Girls, etc. Jill watched him on All My Children and assures me he had to act many different “shades” with his character. His film work includes Must Love Dogs and Something Borrowed. It’s been a little while since I saw Something Borrowed, but I distinctly remember liking him when I shouldn’t – a good sign of his acting skills, particularly for a role like this. But the last I heard he has admitted to not reading the books, though his mother has, he he. Anyway, I have an issue with actors who haven’t read the books, especially at this point. If you’re seriously interested you would have read the books at least once by now.
Matt Bomer - Best known for Magic Mike and White Collar, but he does have a lot of other experience in different mediums and different types of characters. Unlike Alex Pettyfer when Matt Bomer’s name came up at the end of Magic Mike I thought, “yea he might work.” He also looks GREAT in a suit. I’ve watched 2 episodes of White Collar and I can see why people like him. He has a great low key intensity to him, his character has a lot of different sides to it. I’m a fan.
Shia LaBeouf – Ok, I’ve looked at a bunch of pictures of him and only thought he was cute in one or two, the rest I either thought he was ugly in or he was too grungy to even be considered as a Christian Grey. Sorry Shia.
Chris Hemsworth – I like Chris, really I do, and he’s hot as hell. But he’s too rugged to play Christian. I could see him as an Elliot though.
Tatum Channing – Um, yea, if he’ll only do it if his wife plays Ana then he’s not taking it seriously and neither am I.
Mark Wahlberg – Another one with wife issues. I’ll watch you in another movie, thanks.
One thing I will note about anyone who is being considered for the role. I think Team 50 is looking for someone discrete and wont go blabbing around about stuff. Ian hasn’t gone overboard but he might have made too many comments and that could scare off Team Grey. Also, I don’t believe anything anyone says: if they’re aware they are being considered and trying to prove they are discrete then they’re not going to say they’ve read the books and think they’re perfect for the role, if you know what I mean.
I know there are some other names in the running, like Alexander Skarsgard, Henry Cavill and Oliver Jackson-Cohen. I may cover them in another post, but I have to get back to my new addiction – The Vampire Diaries.
So who is my pick? Either Ian Somerhalder or Matt Bomer, it kind of depends on my mood and what Christian we are talking about.
Crissy
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