Many contenders are up for the role of the coveted role of Christian Grey in the upcoming "Fifty Shades of Grey" movie, but some of them may be a little too old for the sexy part.

"Dark Knight Rises" star Christian Bale has always been in the Christian Grey race. He's been featured on a number of polls and has made headlines because of his dark role as Batman and "American Psycho."

PolicyMic wrote although Bale is 38-years-old, and Christian Grey is 27, two characteristics make him stand out.

"A) Bale is known for the radical physical transformations he endures from one part to the next; and B) the actor previously played a role similar to Christian Grey in the 2000 adaptation of Bret Easton Ellis' novel American Psycho -- where Bale played Patrick Bateman, a Wall Street investment banker with secret killer instincts," PolicyMic said.

A recent Facebook poll, for The Periscope Post, found Bale as the favorite to play Christian Grey with 33% of the vote (followed by Robert Pattinson with 17% and Gosling with 14% of the vote).

The poll, which surveyed 2,229 online users, also found some long shots, such as comedian Zack Galifianakis and actors Michael Fassbender, as supposed favorites to audition for the coveted role, according to PolicyMic.

"Handsome, young and charming Christian Bale has the ideal characteristics needed for the role of Christian Grey. Men want to be him and women want to be with him - it is therefore no surprise he took 1/3 of the votes," Thomas D. Gommes, founder and publisher of The Periscope Post said.

Bale also is one of Glamour magazine's 2012 "Sexiest Men Alive," behind Christian fan favorites like Robert Pattinson, Paul Wesley, Henry Cavill, and Ryan Gosling.

DrLauraBerman.com featured Bale as number three on its "15 Actors Who Could Play Christian Grey" list.

"Many fans picked Christian Bale. The critically acclaimed actor and American Psychostar has that dark, sexy, brooding quality that fits with Christian Grey's mercurial moods - but could he pass for 27?" the website said about Bale.

In a recent Books & Review couple poll, Bale and fan favorite Emilia Clarke were once voted as number one. They are now in third place, with Alexis Bledel and Matt Bomer in first place and Alexandra Daddario and Ian Somerahalder in second.

What are fans saying about the "Dark Knight" actor as Christian Grey? Some said that he was too old for the part.

One Books & Review commenter said, "Wth noo... he looks way too old for c. grey. Matt Bomer should be it! no one else :D I will not watch it with c. bale." Another said, "Lovely actor .. looks way too old ... isn't too old .. just looks too old .. he was very good looking once upon a time .. 12 years ago when he made American Psycho .. again that was 12 years ago. Need present tense looks here .. not past tense." One more said, " He looks too bloody old .. I don't give a hoot about the actors actual age .. he looks older than his actual age .. have seen many of his movies and they are great .. he looks too old for the part."

However, those were only a few out of the many comments, which showed that Bale has a big fan-base despite his older age.

"I think Christian Bale would be the perfect Christian Grey. And I just have to say.. those who think that Bale looks worn out, and too old for his age, are seriously either blind or just plain stupid. Or shallow," one commenter said. Another said, "When I picked up the book to see what all the fuss was about, the FIRST and ONLY person that I was able to picture in the role of Christian Grey is and will always be CHRISTIAN BALE...there is no other person and believe me, I am a die hard Ian Somerhalder fan...it HAS to be Bale..." One more fan said, "ABSOLUTELY. Christian Bale = Christian Grey. I was never a big fan of Christian Bale... but after reading the book, I think Christian Bale would be PERFECT for that role. Good looking, mercurial, gleam in his eyes, salacious grin ... need I say more???"

What do you think? Is Christian Bale too old to play Grey? Sound off below!

Click HERE to see who the front-runners are this week for Christian and Ana.

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