Broadway's Billy Magnussen Being Considered for FIFTY SHADES OF GREY Lead

By: Oct. 17, 2013
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Billy Magnussen may soon be trading in Sigourney Weaver for Anastasia Steele.

According to E! Online, the Tony nominee and former VANYA AND SONIA AND MASHA AND SPIKE star is currently being considered to take on the lead role of 'ChristIan Grey' in the upcoming film adaptation of E.L. James' FIFTY SHADES OF GREY.

Since the news broke this weekend that SONS OF ANARCHY's Charlie Hunnam decided he wasn't quite ready to be chained to the FIFTY SHADES franchise, Universal and Focus have been hard at work to line up a new 'Grey' - as quickly as possible.

The Hollywood Reporter recently reported that execs are revisting former favorites to join Dakota Johnson in the film, including TRUE BLOOD's Alexander Skarsgard and THE FALL's Jamie Dornan. Others being considered are Theo James, Christian Cooke, and Australian Luke Bracey.

THR also confirmed that the studios have brought on the Oscar-nominated Patrick Marber to once-over the script, providing rewrites and polishing as needed. The film, set to be directed by Sam Taylor-Johnson, features an original script by Kelly Marcel.

50 SHADES is set to begin filming next month, in anticipation of an August 2014 release.

Magnussen's theatre credits include: Broadway: The Ritz, Vanya and Sonia and Masha and Spike(LTC), Paper Dolls. Film: Twelve, Happy Tears, Damsels in Distress, 2nd Serve, Surviving Family, The Brass Teapot, The East, The Lost Valentine. Television: "Boardwalk Empire," "Blue Bloods," "Your Pretty Little Face is going to Hell," "In Plain Sight," "Law & Order," "Poopstains," "Law & Order: CI," "The Unusuals," "NCIS: Los Angeles," "CSI," "As the World Turns." Education: University of North Carolina School of the Arts. He is also a member of the rock band "Reserved for Rondee. As previously reported, Magnussen has also boarded HBO's upcoming series THE MONEY, also featuring Nathan Lane and Brendan Gleeson - and is currently filming the big screen adaptation of INTO THE WOODS.



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