Casting for Ana Steele

It has been far too long since there’s been any mention of Fifty Shades of Grey on this blog! I have finished all three books now and have those same withdrawals that so many of you have spoken of. Sigh. I absolutely love all the feedback I am still getting on my Casting for Christian Grey post! The thing is, I wrote that post when I was only on Book One so I hadn’t really truly seen the full spectrum and all 50 shades of our leading man, Mr. Grey. Which means,  a follow-up post is in the works!

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Today, however, we are talking about Anastasia Steele. Now, let me start off by saying that I already feel as though this film is going to be tough – especially for the screenwriter. I have no idea just how much of the books [as far as scenes go] they will have to remove. I know this scares many of us readers because we obviously want the film to do justice to the books. I’m also nervous to find out who ends up getting cast as Christian and Ana. It could really make or break it for me [and I’m sure I’m not the only one.]

That said, I have one person in mind for Ana. That’s it – just one. I thought of her at the beginning and even after reading all three books, she’s still the one I choose. I’ve perused the articles, blog posts, and pins on Pinterest about who everyone wants to play Ana and there are some good suggestions. Here is mine:

Since the books are written in Ana’s perspective, I thought it would be best to stick with someone who is relatable; someone you could see yourself just going out to lunch with. Because to me, that’s the kind of girl Ana was in the books – just your somewhat typical, girl-next-door.

So, for that reason, I’d choose Jessica Stroup. I’d also choose her because of how much she matches the physical description of Ana. Brunette, big, blue eyes, full bottom lip [without being overly full], slender, soft, light skin.

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Aside from looks, I think she definitely has what it takes from an acting standpoint as well. I think she has a great range - from being awkward and funny to stubborn and confident or vulnerable and kind-hearted. She'd make an amazing Ana. Plus, she's not super well-known for one role in particular which I think would work out well in her favor.

So, I vote Jessica Stroup for Anastasia Steele!

Now, let's open up the can of worms :)

Who do YOU want to play Anastasia Steele?

Fifty Shades of Etsy

It's Wednesday. Fifty Shades of Grey Day. Just kidding, because every day is Fifty Shades of Grey Day! I know quite a few people who started reading the trilogy over the long weekend so I figured I should share some of my favorite #50shades apparel with you :)

What makes this apparel even better is that you can find each of these in a store on Etsy!

Treebaubles has some adorable 50 Shades of Grey apparel

1. We Aim to Please Tee

2. Inner Goddess Car Decal

3. Charlie Tango Tee

ShopJessieLam has adorable prints like this famous phrase :)

Cute idea to frame it and hang it in your room somewhere?

I adore this first set of coasters from ocdang and this second set with the book covers from myevilfriend.

AngelaService has tons of totes like this one and sweatshirts from various other books as well!

And then, of course, you can wear a classic heart necklace with Mr. Grey's name, like this one from heavenstobessie :)

I'll probably have to buy one of those cute t-shirts, even if I just wear it to bed. They are adorable and support my love for these books... and Mr. Grey! Which would you buy? Have you seen any other cute #50shades apparel?

Casting for Christian Grey

If you haven't yet or don't ever plan to read the trilogy Shades of Grey by E.L. James, then you can just skip this post. It's time to be the casting director. I don't know about you, but when I read a book, I envision the characters. What they look like, their demeanor, etc. Shades of Grey starts off immediately by describing to us the main characters' physical traits and it doesn't take much longer after that to figure out their personalities. 

Now, follow me along on my "Casting for Christian Grey" journey. Here is the first guy I thought of when I started to read about Mr. Christian Grey:

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Nick Zano. He portrayed a billionaire on 90210 for a couple episodes and as soon as I started to read about Christian in the beginning of Book One, I felt the same "higher than thou" attitude that his character had. Not sure if he has the star quality this film deserves though.

However, the more I read, the more I fell in love with Mr. Christian Grey and I could just not see myself really falling in love with Nick Zano. But then I started thinking about this guy...

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Matt Lanter. He's my 90210 hottie and known to be the quiet, mysterious, bad boy on the show. I definitely wouldn't mind seeing his Fifty Shades because he's totally got that soft spot, just like Christian...

In case you need a few more pictures:

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Let's face it - he's extremely good looking. I would not be opposed to seeing him as Mr. Grey on the big screen. But he's just missing something...

Okay, okay so aside from the 90210 men, who would I cast? Well, at the end of the day, you need more than just "the look." You need the talent. This is a deep, often dark, portrayal of a man who has unique desires, a controlling personality, but in some round-about way, just wants to love and be loved.

That said, I think this film, if casted and written well [I have no idea how they are going to edit out some of those scenes] could be amazing. I think it's going to take one of these actors to make it happen:

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Oh, come on. You saw that one coming. Mr. Gosling is my man. I think he would pull off Christian Grey brilliantly. He's known for his dark roles. [Drive, Murder by Numbers, Half Nelson, Blue Valentine, etc.] However, I wouldn't put him at the top of my list. Mainly because when I read the books, I don't envision him. 

I envision someone more like my top two picks. Here they are...

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Matt Bomer. I look at him and think, "Mr. Grey." It's his eyes especially. They are intense and distant and slightly disturbed. In fact, I think I might be falling in love with him. He's pretty much one of the most attractive men I have ever laid eyes on [Still love you, Ryan!] Sadly, he and I will, uh... never work out. But he'd play a great Christian!

And then... the one guy I said "no" to for a while. Everyone said, "yes, yes, yes!" and I just didn't see it. Didn't feel it. However, after much thought and studying of pictures [the best part] I see it now. *Note: I have a few rules. He's had several "looks" and these are the only ones I'd be okay with for the look of CG:

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Ian Somerhalder. He just can't have dark black hair when he plays Christian. But that sideways smile... that will work. Definitely. I think he has the demeanor and darkness needed for this character while also being that drop-dead gorgeous Greek god that CG is.

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Now, if you'll pardon me... it's time to go read and picture one of these beautiful men as Mr. Christian Grey himself. Sigh. Double sigh. I spent a lot of time on this post, believe it or not. Looking at pictures and then re-looking at them takes a lot of time!

Okay, let's open up the can of worms - who do YOU want to be cast as Christian Grey?

Get Lost in a Book

I've needed it for a while now - to get lost in a book. Growing up, I was always quite the reader. I'd leave the library as a little girl, toting twenty books along with me. I'd flip through every single one, numerous times.

Then, as I got into my middle/high school years, I'd get lost in scripts. I'd become so attached to certain characters that I started to actually feel like I was them. [Well, I guess that is part of acting.] I'd sit there and read Neil Simon over and over or Tennessee Williams or my favorite, William Shakespeare. I loved it and was "lost" so easily and it felt so nice.

Then, reading just became homework.

It was a task, a chore, an assignment and the more books I was assigned to read that I didn't like, the more I gave up on fiction. I turned to nonfiction instead which is what I've stuck with for nearly a decade.

Until now.

Fifty Shades of Grey.

How can one series [trilogy] be so magical? I don't even think "magical" is the right word because this book somehow feels so real. The realness of Ana's fears, the emotional and mental scars belonging to Christian - it all just captivates me. I know those things have captivated many of you as well.

I literally can't stop reading. When I'm not reading, I'm thinking about it. The crazy thing is, it makes me think about life. It makes me question what things I'm willing to settle for - in life, in a career, in a relationship. 

But really, it just makes me think of Mr. Christian Grey.

It feels so GREAT to get lost in a book again. To feel that excitement each day! To look forward to what's going to happen next. To read a book so real that it feels as though I'm there [as Ana, duh.]

I just started book #2 yesterday and can hardly tear my eyes away from it.

I never understood how people could read a book [let alone a series!] a second time.

Now I get it.

And I'm sure I'll read it a third and a fourth...

Casting ideas to come next week.

Laters, baby.