'Fifty Shades of Grey' Movie Casting: Billy Magnussen as Christian Grey
Jamie Dornan and Luke Bracey were last week's names to be up for the part of Christian Grey. With a new week having just begun, another actor is up for the part of Christian Grey. Reports claim this actor has already gone through a screen test with Dakota Johnson. Say hello to Billy Magnussen from "Into the Woods."
After trying out a British and Australian actor for the part of Christian Grey, producers naturally tried an American actor for the part. Broadway actor, Billy Magnussen is said to have gone through a screen test with Dakota Johnson as Anastasia Steele.
Chances are Billy might just get cast as Christian Grey as long as "schedule conflicts" won't arise. Reports state that Billy is scheduled to film scenes for the HBO original series, "The Money" in a few weeks. If Billy does get cast as Christian Grey, he'd have to bid adieu to the HBO series and work on E.L. James erotica novel turned film instead.
Unlike other stars that are wary of taking over a project after the lead actor drops out, this wouldn't be the first time for Billy. Magnussen had in fact taken over the part of Rapunzel's prince in the Disney musical, "Into the Woods" when Jake Gyllenhaal dropped out. Billy's other notable projects include "Vanya and Sonia and Masha and Spike" to which he had been nominated for a Tony award.
If Billy would be cast as Christian Grey, this would certainly be a departure for the production given his nationality. Almost everyone on production, James Taylor-Johnson the Director and Kelly Marcel the screenwriter, are British which would make "Fifty Shades" a British production.
Nationalities aside, is Billy Magnussen the right actor for the part of Christian Grey? Judging from Billy's physical attributes, the Broadway star definitely has the right qualities. The only fall back would be is his age. Billy is currently 31 years old while the character he is set to portray, Christian Grey, is only 27-years of age. Of course, there is nothing make up can't do to make Billy look younger for the part.
All that is left now is to wait and see who producers and E.L. James cast as their official Christian Grey.