A psychology lecturer at the University of Central Lancashire recently put a face to the fictional man readers have been drooling over since "Fifty Shades of Grey" was released in 2011. "(B)ased on a small sample of women, this is the image of Christian Grey they have in their heads when reading the novels," the lecturer said via the university's website. The visual inspired us to do some speculative casting of our own for the possible movie version of E.L. James' erotic novel. Here's who we think should play the handsome billionaire and Anastasia Steele:
"White Collar's" Matt Bomer, 34, would make a great Christian Grey. (The actor currently appears as a stripper in "Magic Mike," so we figured he'd be down for some on-screen BDSM.)
Elizabeth Olsen, 23, commanded the screen in 2011's "Martha Marcy May Marlene" and she could do the same in "Fifty Shades."
With "The Hunger Games" under his belt, Wes Bentley, 33, could take on the role of Grey.
From "This Means War" to "People Like Us," we know Chris Pine, 31, could take on James' character.
If new dad Chris Hemsworth, 28, isn't too busy wielding Thor's hammer to take part, he could step into Grey's shoes.
What about Kristen Stewart as Ana? After all, Bella, Stewart's "Twilight" character, inspired the role. However, the odds of the 22-year-old nabbing the coveted role might be slim to none. James said, via New York Post, "I think it would be too strange!"
- Director Sam Taylor-Johnson gained fame in 2009 for 'Nowhere Boy' about John Lennon
- She later married the film's star, Aaron Taylor-Johnson, who's 23 years her junior
Los Angeles (CNN) -- Director Sam Taylor-Johnson has been chosen to film "Fifty Shades of Grey," the best-selling erotic novel about a 27-year-old billionaire and a naïve college student, Universal Pictures said Wednesday.
Taylor-Johnson, a British photographer and visual artist, garnered laurels as a director in 2009 when she made "Nowhere Boy" about John Lennon's young life.
The film raised her profile as the movie received four BAFTA nominations, including one for outstanding debut by a British writer, director or producer, and another for outstanding British film.
She later married the film's star, Aaron Taylor-Johnson, who is 23 years her junior.
Last year, writer Kelly Marcel was selected to write the screenplay adaption of the book by British author Erika Leonard, who wrote the novel under the pen name E L James. Marcel is also known for her work on the Amblin/FOX-TV series "Terra Nova."
"Fifty Shades of Grey" relates a young woman's sexually explicit liaisons with the young billionaire. The story is part of a trilogy.
The trilogy has been translated in 45 languages and sold more than 32 million copies in the United States.
CNN's JD Cargill contributed to this report.
