Justin Bieber has claimed he has been approached to take on the lead role in the film adaptation of Fifty Shades Of Grey.
Despite his youthful appearance and clean-cut image, the teen hearthrob told TV chat show how Jonathan Ross that he had been asked to play the kinky title character in the big-screen version of EL James’ novel.
After Ross joked that Bieber’s army of devoted fans had been encouraged by the risque novel, the singer let slip: “They actually want me to be in the movie!”, although he didn’t reveal whether or not he would take on the role ofbusinessman Christan Grey, who has a saucy relatioship with college graduate Anastacia Steele in the tome.
The screen rights to Fifty Shades Of Grey were acquired by Universal Pictures and Focus Features in March (2012). However, the film still has no screenwriter, director or confirmed stars. Figures to be linked with roles in the film include Ryan Gosling, Channing Tatum, Lost’s Ian Somerhalder, Alexander Skarsgård from True Blood and an American porn actor called James Deen.
Since being published last year (2011), Fifty Shades Of Grey has become notorious for its explicit sexual content and controversial portrayal of a relationship involving BDSM. The novel has now sold more than 5.5 million copies to British readers, making it the UK’s biggest-selling book of all time.