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50 Shades of Grey: Who Should Play Anastasia Steele?

May 2, 2012 Khloe Westmore

Okay Renegade Chicks and Fifty Shades fans, we have more work to do. You recently cast your votes and voiced your opinion on who you think should play Mr. Christian Grey. Now it’s time to hold an open casting call for our heroine, and “sex mad and insatiable,” Anastasia Steele. Author E.L. James describes Ana as “a pale, brown-haired girl with blue eyes too big for her face,” but we also know that she’s clumsy and shy, while at the same time tenacious enough to be able to keep up with our dear Fifty Shades. Once again, People.com has nominated a panel of leading ladies to play Ana, and while I agree with some, I had to add a few of my own. Here is our roster of candidates to play Ms. Ana Steele (clockwise from top left):

Shailene Woodley – plays Amy Juergens in the TV series The Secret Life of the American Teenager and starred in the 2011 movie, The Descendants.

Emmy Rossum – starred in movies such as Mystic River and The Day After Tomorrow. Rossum currently plays Fiona Gallagher in the outrageous TV series, Shameless. However, will fans of the Showtime hit I be able to see her as anyone other than Fiona?

Felicity Jones – look for her in movies such as Hysteria, Like Crazy, Chalet Girl and The Tempest

Rooney Mara – I know, I know, the first thought that comes to mind is the harsh Lisbeth Salander look that she’s maintained well after The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo finished filming. But please remember her as in the photo above and concede to the fact that she has definitely proven her talent.

Alexis Bledel – You probably remember her as Rory Gilmore in the CW series, Gilmore Girls. She also had roles in the 2005 Tarantino film, Sin City, as well as The Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants. No one can deny Bledel matches Ana’s description pretty spot on.

Ellen Page – You probably remember her in Juno, as the pragmatic teen who finds herself in the midst of an unplanned pregnancy, but rest assured that she has come a long way since then, starring in films such as Smart People, Inception and To Rome with Love.

Other leading lady contenders include: Olivia Wilde, Minka Kelly, Evan Rachel Wood, Elizabeth Olsen, Rachel Bilson and Emma Stone. Vote below for your favorite actress to play Ana Steele or leave a comment nominating who you think should be considered.

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http://www.twitter.con/laneyWOW Laney

While all the ladies above are quite lovely, I’d like to see Emilia Clarke (Game of Thrones) up for the role of Ana!
- Michelle
  
  I’d love to see Emilia! Though, Game of Thrones would be lacking without her, and GoT filming is too intense to have time for a new film saga…
- Hyde
  
  yess!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Chris

Hands down, Julianne Hough should play Ana. She is none other than beatiful. With her darker hair and rebelious character from Footloose, she embodies the role to the T. Fits the profile exactly. With Chris Hemsworth in as Christian Grey, you’ve got yourself a Hotter than Hot power duo
- kaitlin
  
  are you serious?
  she cannot act FOR SHIT, plus she is way to “basic pretty”
  go to a high school football game and you can find 20 of her easy.
- Maisey
  
  Julianne Hough! Are you serious! She RUINED footloose! No way! She can’t act, having a pretty face and being able to act are two different things!!!
http://www.thewb.com/chickenmoo HockeyGuy

“sex mad and insatiable,”

oh .. hmmmm … yea … nice

got to be Alexis…
http://www.getexback.net Gretch

I’d go for anyone except Kirsten Stewart… Sorry bella fans just voicing out my opinion
Khloe Westmore

Hi Picamilon! Thank you for visiting! Be sure to check back often as we post new content daily!
Pam

I would love to see Alexis Bledel play Ana! She has the looks and based on her performance on Man Men, she can do sensous. :)
Pam

Correction – Sensuous :)
Aimee

i personally think that Emmy Rossum would make a fantastic Anastasia. The description of her from Christian’s point of view is spot on…minus the BLUE eyes, yet that can be corrected through the use of contacts. And although this poll is not talking about the role of Mr. GREY…i feel as though Colin Egglesfield would compliment Emmy as Ana VERY VERY VERY WELL!!!!!
- cass
  
  yessssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssss
kaitlin

grey needs to be alex pettyfer, people describe him as a “fallen angel” which is exactly what christian grey is. beautiful, chiseled and boyish, but smiles like he has a secret.

Olivia Wilde, while my girl crush, is to sexy.
Minka Kelly and Rachel Bilson are to basic.
Evan Rachel Wood and Elizabeth Olsen? maybe. Evan is to bad ass, elizabeth could probably pull it off.

i do see potential in alexis, only problem is she just turned 30. while she does look super young, they might have to cast someone older as grey to balance it, but that could throw everything off considering grey is supposed to be 27.

kaya scodelario would be absolutely PERFECT
Diana

Alexis Bledel is the perfect Anastasia :) ……can’t wait for this movie to come out!!!!!!
Caro

Im surprised no ones mentioned Anna Kendrick! I think seh would be great and she can act.
- Kim
  
  I agree with u Anna Kendrick !!!!!!!!!!!
  - Kim
    
    Matt Bomer 4 Mr.grey
Katie Rae

I think that Mila Kunis would be the perfect beyond perfect Ana!
Laura

Zooey Deschanel (500) Days of Summer, New Girl would be PERFECT~~~
Chloe

I would love to see a fresh new face that has no ties to any TV show or movie character .. there needs to be open auditions for Ana!! Hit the streets and find her!

Here I am wanting and knowing I can play that role exquisitely, but I need a chance! I bet there are many other girls in my position too, I believe that’s the ultimate way E L James will find her Ana. Everyone I know has read the book and told me they picture me as Ana Steele. Just saying it would be refreshing and a little mysterious actually to have someone play her that no one knows!

As for Christian.. Jessie Pavelka hands down ;)
Brynnie

My Aunt B should play her!

Http://www.imdb.me/bridgetmckevitt
cass

ashley greene, rooney mara, scarlett johanson,mila kunis and emmy rossum!!
you need someone hot not baby faced like alexis bledel
cass

and kristen stewert
Kay

Rachel Bilson is hands down Ana Steele!! Also Luke Mably should play Christian Grey!
Tinasyco

Alexis Bledel would be the perfect Ana. She’s humble with her looks and she has that innocence that is Ana. She fits the description to a tee.
Renee

After seeing Emma Stone in Crazy Stupid Love… I totally think she would be a fantastic Anna. She can do that self depreciating, shy yet strong, totally lovable little girl lost thing. Nobody is thinking her…and all these girls are just too cute… anna should be unconventionally pretty. I vote Emma.
http://lutziepineda@yahoo.com Anonymous

Zooey d is perfect. She has blue eyes and can look innocent and very beautiful at the same time. Rossum looks ordinary.
Alli

Ashley Green and Ian Somerhalder
Marlene

Definitely Ashley Greene (Alice, sister in Twilight) she is flawless!
Marlene

Ashley Greene hands down!
Alexis

Felicity Jones would make an outstanding Ana. I dare anyone to watch Like Crazy and not agree. As for Mr. Grey, Matt Bomer!
MaryJane

i say Ashley Greene! hands down!
MaryJane

Chris Evans would be a sexy ass mr. Grey!
Jaime

JENNIFER LOVE HEWITT!!! w/ Chris Hemsworth or Matt Bromer as Grey!!!
auggie

I would like to see Rachel McAdams play Miss Anastasia Steele. I think she would be perfect. She was great in “The Notebook”.
Sandy

I think Alexis Bledel would play the part ferfectly. She look just like the discription of Anna Steele, and she looks like a young girl with a womens experience. This is a hard roll for a truely young women to play. She is spot on.
cinta

Most important: She has to have a SEXY lips! as Anastasia like to bite hers. Like Alexis Bledel’s or Emmy Rossum’s
amanda

I’m sorry but all these girls aren’t Ana. No way. And if shailene woodley gets the part I wont even bother to see it. I would love to see the part go to lucy hale or Elizabeth Olsen! They both are young enough and innocent looking enough but they also have what it takes to be darker!
amanda

Oh! Whoever said Ashley Greene! I didn’t even think of her!
Arietta

Hello everyone?! What about Zooey Deschannel?!! She’s perfect!!! And Ian somerhaulder for Christian. ;)
India

I think Scarlett Johansson would be perfect! She has it all! She’s beautiful, has sex appeal.. I believe she can really play the part Ana Steele
Alice

Kristen Stewart and Matt Bomer are perfect! They’re super hot! Just like in the book.
Alice

I don’t see Ana on this list….real Ana. I think Kristen would perfect for Ana as herself. I mean without Bella Swan’s look, makeup. I think she looks exactly like Ana. Plus she’s a phenomenal actress….
- MJ
  
  Kristen Stewart a phenomenal actress??? Are you blind deaf and dumb?!
- Hyde
  
  KStew is NOT a phenomenal actress, she’s mediocre at best. Just because her movies sell, doesn’t mean she can act.
Betsy

EMILY BROWNING would be the perfect Ana look at those big blue eyes ! And she’s beautiful, young and not many people know of her! Pick Emily!!
Hyde

Alexis Bledel would be a better actress if she didn’t talk like she had lockjaw. Ellen Page is too short and kid-like. Shailene Woodley I haven’t seen before, she’s not what i pictured though. Felicity Jones I haven’t seen before but she looks the part. Also remember people, these actors/actresses are going to be doing some hardcore scenes. You have to factor in that just because an actress looks the part that she might not be able to act it. I didn’t think Jennifer Lawrence was the right choice for Katniss until I saw her hair dyed and in character, now I think she was the perfect choice. The true Ana may be a blonde or red head who needs to dye their hair and wear contacts. With that being said, I vote Emma Stone (http://www.hairstyles365.net/wp-content/uploads/2012/05/b0a74__emma-stone-hairstyle1.jpg) or Emilia Clarke (from Game of Thrones) (http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-OJhlriglA_Q/T8owcqSzATI/AAAAAAAAHAA/fUKKpnqVFNY/s1600/emilia-clarke-356490l-poza.jpg) Emilia Clarke is no stranger to racy scenes and nudity and a wonderful actress as long as she can lose her accent.
- Anonymous
  
  Now of these girls are Ana, I think you should keep looking… Also, I don’t like the guy list for Christian now of them are sexy enough or they are not like the 50 shades of Christian.. Keep looking…
Lou Jee

I prefer Natalie Portman or Leighton Meester. I just really love them when they wear sexy elegant dresses.
- Rachel
  
  Natalie Portman!!!
lee

Ian somerhalder as christian and kristin kreuk as anastasia
Amber Simons

It should be me!
Laura Jane

I think it should be a complete ordinary person……. as that what ana is in the book!! christian should be someone who has already made themselves as that’s what he has done in the book! Personal opinion would be nice to see someone make themselves from the movie like ana does throughout the trilogy! x
irys

Emilia Clarke is definitively my Anna Steele!! She has all required: the Ana’s big blue eyes, the pale skin, the tiny body, the innocent look, the sweet face, sensuality too, has done plenty of nudity & sex scenes in Game of Thrones, has the acting quality.
Yorleynah

*still laughing at comment about Julianne Hough playing Ana*

I reckon that Emmy Rossum would play Ana Steele PERFECTLY!
She has the creamy, pale white skin, the dainty feminine features and the big, beautiful doe eyes. Just imagine her wearing sky blue contacts. You’ll be suprised at how realistic contacts appear in film nowadays. Apart from Emmy, I think Emilia Clarke from AGOT would be a good choice too. She has the same physical characteristics that describe Ana. As well as the her natural blue eyes. Plus, I can imagine both of these actresses acting out the intense sexual content in the movie, as they have previously done films/television that depict the same theme. (kind of) Alexis Bledel may have the whole brown hair, pale skin and blue eyes look going on, but I personally cannot imagine RORY from Gilmore Girls walking around with silver balls inside her or being bent over and spanked…HARD! Plus, her face is too little girlish. The actress to play Ana needs to have that shy, innocent school-girl look, as well as sexy, seductive and alluring features that drive Christian Grey crazy with lust whenever he looks at her. The role of Ana is way too risque for an actress such as Alexis Bledel…
Yorleynah

Matt Bomer is gay! Literally. Nothing wrong with that, but I would like to see a heterosexual actor playing a very heterosexual role :) Jessie Pavelka is damn fine. He would make a hot Christian Grey. He’s a bit on the buff side though, so apart from him, Ian Somerhalder. Just dye his hair dark copper and chuck gray contacts on and he’s good to go!
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http://twitter.com/Maya_ace Maya

Alexis, definitely!
ana

young and innocent, that is Anastasia. it would be great if they cast an aspiring actress who’s not popular or well known.
Dana

Ian Somerhalder for Christian is my vote but there a lot of good looking men who could play the part-just not Matt Boomer-although good looking he is a gay man and for this role I want a straight male. This movie is the first of its type to be geared toward females and even though they are playing a role I don’t want the fantasy to be broken by knowing the male lead is really pretending more than normal!! I also don’t want a beautiful Anastasia-the way I read it she was pretty in an awkward kind of way-a normal female-that again was part of the fantasy of the books it could be any of us-that being said I would love to see Alexis Bledel do the role but do not think she would-so what about Tamzin Merchant who played on the Tudors or Emilia Clark from Game of Thrones–interestingly enough Tamzin was first cast in the role that Emilia Clark plays