Already have an account?
Get back to the

Fifty Shades of Grey Casting: Robert Pattinson Was First Choice for Christian Grey, Bret Easton Ellis Claims

Bret Easton Ellis, Robert Pattinson
Shortly after E.L. James announced that Dakota Johnson and Charlie Humman would be starring in Fifty Shades of Grey, author Bret Easton Ellis claimed via Twitter that Robert Pattinson was James' first choice to play Christian Grey

Robert Pattinson is apparently in high demand. After teasing about casting rumors for many months, E.L. James finally revealed that Dakota Johnson, 23, and Charlie Humman would be starring in the highly-anticipated adaptation of Fifty Shades of Grey. But as it turns out, Humman, 33, wasn't the first in line to play the mysterious billionaire — at least according to Bret Easton Ellis.

"Talked to E.L. James at a party over the summer: her first choice for Christian was Rob Pattinson," author and screenwriter Ellis claimed via Twitter on Monday. "E.L. James and I were at Rob Pattinson's house when she admitted that Rob was first choice for Christian."

Related: PHOTOS: The many sexy faces of Robert Pattinson

He added: "When E.L. James asked me who I thought should be Christian I said 'James Deen, of course,' and then she shoved me. We were both very wasted." 

Ellis and James both attended a house party thrown by Pattinson, 27, at his Los Feliz pad back in June. Guests enjoyed tacos and dancing until 3 a.m., an insider told Us Weekly at the time.

Related: VIDEO: E.L. James attends Robert Pattinson house party

The Canyons screenwriter Ellis — best known for novels like Less Than Zero and The Rules of Attraction — also said that some rumored to be cast never even made the final cut. "Ian Somerhalder never in running," he added. Matt Bomer was never up for the role either.

In this article

Got a Tip form close button
Got a tip for US?
We're All Ears for Celebrity Buzz!