Mark Wahlberg: ‘Fifty Shades’ Cost Too Much

Posted by Andru Edwards Categories: FOCUS, Adaptation, Drama, Romance, Filmmaking, Upcoming Releases,

Mark Wahlberg was ''blown out'' of getting the Fifty Shades of Grey movie rights because it was too expensive.

The Ted actor was in talks to acquire E.L. James' best-selling trilogy for his production company, but a "bidding war" meant he lost out to Universal Pictures and Focus Features. "We had the early beat on it [the book] and we were close to getting it but it didn't happen. We were in contact through our agency with the writer. Then she got another agent and they realized what a valuable property it was, created a bidding war and it just blew us out of it," he explained on The Tonight Show with Jay Leno last night.

Though he is disappointed to have lost out on the series, Mark, 42, is "really excited" about another project he has in the pipeline - a movie version of Entourage, the comedy-drama series which starred Adrian Grenier and ran for eight seasons until 2011: "I'd been clawing and scratching and trying to convince everyone to do it and we finally agreed that it is the best thing. I'm really excited that the guys are coming back, I know fans have really missed the show, so to get those guys back, doing what they do, will be great for the fans."

Daniel Radcliffe Wasn’t Interested in ‘Fifty Shades’ Role

Posted by Andru Edwards Categories: FOCUS, Adaptation, Romance, Casting, Celebrity Gossip, Upcoming Releases,

Daniel Radcliffe wasn't interested in being cast in Fifty Shades of Grey.

The Harry Potter star had no desire to play male lead Christian Grey in the film adaptation of E.L James' erotic novel and is pretty sure film fans didn't want him over Charlie Hunnam either, who has been cast in the role.

Speaking at the Toronto International Film Festival, he told MTV News, "I literally had someone say to me for the first time today, 'The world's in uproar you're not playing Christian Grey.' And I'm like, 'If this is uproar, it's inaudible.'"

The 23-year-old actor doesn't think he would have been able to convincingly portray the BDSM obsessed businessman character and it would have only hurt his career if he'd been cast. "I have to say, no offense to anybody, I'm sure they're going to do a great job on the movie, but it's not something that I think of would have been a good next step for me," he added.

Robert Pattinson Was Close to ‘Fifty Shades of Grey’ Role?

Posted by Andru Edwards Categories: FOCUS, Adaptation, Romance, Casting, Celebrity Gossip, Rumors, Upcoming Releases,

Robert Pattinson was E.L. James' choice for Fifty Shades of Grey, according to Bret Easton Ellis.

He has claimed the author behind the erotic novel wanted the former Twilight Saga star to play the lead in the upcoming movie adaptation. "Talked to E.L. James at a party over the summer: her first choice for Christian was Rob Pattinson and Matt Bomer was never in the running," he wrote on Twitter.

The screenwriter - who penned the script for The Canyons - also said he drunkenly suggested porn star James Deen for the lead role after he impressed in the noir thriller. "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," he added.

Earlier today, it was confirmed that Charlie Hunnam has been cast in the role. E.L. James announced in a series of tweets: "Good moaning all. Hold on to your hats ... I am delighted to let you know that the lovely Dakota Johnson has agreed to be our Anastasia in the film adaptation of Fifty ... So... Christian... The gorgeous and talented Charlie Hunnam will be Christian Grey in the film adaptation of Fifty Shades of Grey. (sic)"