"Fifty Shades of Grey" fans are not happy with the recent news of Dakota Johnson and Charlie Hunnam being cast as Anastasia Steele and Christian Grey in the upcoming film.
The news, announced via Twitter by author E L James, lead angry fans to petition against the casting choices made by producers for the erotic novel turned film. Instead fans are demanding Alexis Bledel and Matt Bomer be cast as the leads.
The petition on Change.org, which has since garnered over 20,000 signatures, 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."
According to Us Weekly, Bomer, 35, and Bledel, 31, were long hoped-for candidates for the leading roles in "Fifty Shades of Grey."
Once the movie was announced in March 2012 fans created fake trailers online promoting the two stars. The "Gilmore Girls" alum told ELLE Magazine at the time that she was both flattered and freaked out by the videos.
"People definitely do have strong opinions about [the casting of Christian Grey]," she told Elle magazine last year. "I guess when people really identify with a concept, they feel strongly about it."
According to Us Weekly, producer Dana Brunetti defended casting Johnson and Hunnam, who reportedly nailed a "chemistry read" together.
There is a lot that goes into casting that isn't just looks. Talent, availability, their desire to do it, chemistry with other actor, etc.
— Dana Brunetti (@DanaBrunetti) September 2, 2013
So if your favorite wasn't cast, then it is most likely due to something on that list. Keep that in mind while hating and keep perspective. — Dana Brunetti (@DanaBrunetti) September 2, 2013
