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Lead roles cast in 'Fifty Shades of Grey' film adaptation

The film adaptation of the bestselling book "Fifty Shades of Grey" now has two of its key roles in place. On Monday, author E.L. James tweeted the casting announcements of Dakota Johnson as Anastasia Steele, and Charlie Hunnam as Christian Grey in the film.Johnson is the daughter of Don Johnson and Melanie Griffith; she worked with "Grey" producers Michael De Luca and Dana Brunetti on 2010's "The
Charlie Hunnam and Dakota Johnson.
Charlie Hunnam and Dakota Johnson.EPA file, Getty Images file

The film adaptation of the bestselling book "Fifty Shades of Grey" now has two of its key roles in place. On Monday, author E.L. James tweeted the casting announcements of Dakota Johnson as Anastasia Steele, and Charlie Hunnam as Christian Grey in the film.

I+am+delighted+to+let+you+know+that+the+lovely+Dakota+Johnson+has+agreed+to+be+our+Anastasia+in+the+film+adaptation+of+Fifty+Shades+of+Grey.

—+E+L+James+(@E_L_James)+September+2,+2013+

The+gorgeous+and+talented+Charlie+Hunnam+will+be+Christian+Grey+in+the+film+adaptation+of+Fifty+Shades+of+Grey.

—+E+L+James+(@E_L_James)+September+2,+2013+

Johnson is the daughter of Don Johnson and Melanie Griffith; she worked with "Grey" producers Michael De Luca and Dana Brunetti on 2010's "The Social Network." Other credits on her resume include "21 Jump Street" and the short-lived Fox TV series "Ben & Kate."

Hunnam has a regular role on FX's "Sons of Anarchy," and has also appeared in films like "Cold Mountain" and "Pacific Rim." 

Casting for the film version of the racy story — in which a college student enters into a sadomasochistic relationship with an older, wealthy man — has been the subject of much speculation among fans; at one point, Emma Watson was one of the many young women rumored to be up for the role ("Who here actually thinks I would do '50 Shades of Grey' as a movie?" she tweeted in March). In May "True Blood's" Alexander Skarsgard said he was "born to play" the role of Christian and later, "The Lone Ranger's" Armie Hammer announced that he was not in the running.

"Fifty Shades" started out as an e-book published in 2011. It was then published in paperback in 2012, and spawned two sequels. By May 2012 over 10 million copies had been sold, according to the New York Times.

"Fifty Shades of Grey" is set to be released in U.S. theaters on Aug. 1, 2014.