The "Fifty Shades of Grey" trilogy has been the publishing sensation of the decade. What started as a self-published novel on the Internet has spawned countless imitators, and with the film rights to the books picked up by Hollywood we're hearing more and more casting rumors daily.
Ryan Gosling, Christian Bale, Matt Bomer, and Robert Pattinson are among many actors' names that've already been mentioned in casting the leading role of Christian Grey, a troubled businessman who seduces an innocent college graduate called Anastasia Steele. And now, according to Justin Bieber, we can officially add his name to the list.
The teen pop singer recently told British talk show host Jonathan Ross that he has been asked to play the kinky title character in the big-screen version of E.L. James' novel.
After Ross joked that the risque novel had encouraged Bieber's army of devoted fans, the singer let slip, "They actually want me to be in the movie!" Bieber didn't elaborate much more on the talks, or reveal whether or not he would take on the role of businessman Christan Grey.
Universal Pictures and Focus Features acquired the screen rights to "Fifty Shades Of Grey in March." And while names like Bret Easton Ellis have been thrown around, the film still has no screenwriter, or director.
We've seen a host of speculation about who will play the lead roles already, with wish-list fan-made trailers cropping up nearly every week now. But nothing has been confirmed by the production company or James.
Bieber also revealed to the presenter that he has banned himself from discussing his love life. He added, "At the end of the day I'm always going to be their Justin, regardless of who I'm dating."
''I like to make sure my fans are comfortable."
The 18-year-old further explained that he wants to be respected for his musical abilities and not for his handsome looks, saying, ''I love being young and being in the spotlight but I want to be taken seriously as an artist, be known for my music and not necessarily known for a flick of my hair.''
Author James' publicity tour for the books has provided much new insight into the film adaptation, and especially the "Fifty Shades" books lately.
According to The Telegraph, the author of the erotica phenomenon reveals in an upcoming interview with British radio station Classic FM that the "Fifty Shades" books had humbler beginnings than even her most die-hard fans probably realize. In the interview, James divulges that she wrote the novels on an old Nokia cell phone during her regular commutes into London.
"I'd be sitting on a train typing away on a phone," she says, adding that she would continue writing on the bus from Waterloo to Holborn. She would then beam the words to her computer at home.
Since being published last year, "Fifty Shades Of Grey" has become notorious for its explicit sexual content and controversial portrayal of a relationship involving BDSM. Now that the novel has sold more than 10 million copies to British readers, James' book is the UK's bestselling book of all time. All three books from James' trilogy have remained in the top five of The New Yorks Times' bestsellers list for over three months.