Earlier this week we ran a poll asking Fifty Shades of Grey fans to share their fantasy choices for Christian Grey, and we can now reveal, as expected that Vampire Diaries star Ian Somerhalder is the run-away winner with 34% of the vote, beating Christian Bale into second place with 15% and White Collar’s Matt Bomer, last seen taking his clothes off in Magic Mike, who came in third with 14% of the votes.
Here’s the full list of results:
- Ian Somerhalder – 33%
- Christian Bale – 15%
- Matt Bomer – 14%
- Jensen Ackles – 10&
- Channing Tatum – 5%
- Ryan Phillippe – 2%
- Armie Hammer – 1%
- Tom Hardy – 1%
Additionally, 17% of the vote went to the “Other” option with Alexander Skarsgard, Colin Egglesfield, Ryan Gosling and Henry Cavill suggested the most of the many, many actors put forward.
Unfortunately therein lies the problem for whoever handles the Fifty Shades casting: Christian Grey is many things to many women, and personal taste will affect the film adaptations reception with fans of the source books. But Somerhalder does appear to fit the bill: he is around the right age, bears physical resemblance to some decriptive passages dedicated to Grey and more importantly for the heritage of the character, he has experience playing darker, supernatural characters, thanks to his work on Vampire Diaries (Christian started life as Edward Cullen, after all).
So, Fifty Shades fans – do you agree that Somerhalder would make the perfect Christian Grey? Or do you think one of the other polled actors would be better? Check out our run-down of 10 actors who we think would be good for the role by clicking Next below, and remember to comment with your own suggestions.
You Might Also Like...
- Fifty Shades Of Grey: Who Should Direct And Star In This Smutty Smash Hit?
- Fifty Shades Of Grey Film: Alex Pettyfer Stars As Christian Grey In Sex Scenes Filmed By Gus Van Sant
- Fifty Shades Of Grey Movie: 10 Moments We Definitely Won’t See
Want to write about the stuff you're passionate about and have your work read by an audience of over 10 million a month? Click here to become a contributor.









37 Comments
Yes Ian Somwerhalder is the perfect Christian Grey. I saw only himn while reading the books and I know alot of other people are saying this too. None of the other guys have that look that he has. H’s incredibly sexy,gorgeous,and those eyes are just yar. He is really incredible.
oh yes!! I did too…..Ian would be the best CG– i cant see anyone else.
ian somerhalder is perfect christian grey. he is so hot i could not imagine ne other dan ian while reading the book. he is so sexy his eyes is to die for so so perfect for the role. i would be highly dissapointed if ian wud nt b cast as christian grey.
Matt Bomer? 14%??? COME ON :)
I don’t think this is true! MATT BOMER, 14%??! He’s perfect for the part!!
Ian Somerhalder is already the face for Christian Grey to a lot of people. He would be a fanatstic choice. Terrific actor, perfect look. No one encompasses the whole aura of Christian Grey as he does. This role needs someone with experience at playing this type of sexually charged role with many shades. I hope rumors of there being a chosen already are false.
Ian Somerhalder would be the perfect choice. His character in the vampire diaries has a darker side, just like Christian, so he will, no doubt, be perfect as him. Plus he’s super good looking!
Matt Bomer is perfect for the role!!!! I would love to see Matt Bomer as Grey. He is how I pictured Grey in my head the whole time but Ian is not bad either. They are both good actors and it will be a great opportunity for both of them.
But let me get this right… Christian Bale gets 2nd place?!?!!? What the hell is wrong with people?? Okey he’s a great actor and is hot but he is 38… and if i recall correctly Christian Grey is 28… so he is not suitable for the role.
Yessss…..Ian Somerhalder is the right choice for Mr. Grey.
Um, why was Alexander Skarsgard put into the “other option” list? What does that mean? My picks are Ian or Alexander!
If Ian Somerhalder doesn’t get this role I will not go see the film
same her, will only see the movie if ian somerhalder plays christian grey
He’s perfect! In the Vampire Diaries his character has a dark side but also has a vulnerable side that occasionally peaks through at times, just enough to make you want to see more. Very charming and sexy!Ian would play the role of Mr. Gray well.
French actor TOMER SISLEY would be great..He played in Largo Winch ! He is dark, manly, handsome, with great style and has a sexy witty smile that lightens up his eyes… He is Christian Grey !
Christian Grey can never be played by one of these Hollywood “babyfaced boys” !
Ian is perfect for this role. He’s had experience playing a tortured soul, and he radiates confidence – as Christian Grey should. His eyes are enough to make an entire room of women sigh. He’s also one of the sexiest men alive. He would do amazing things with the role of Christian.
Sidenote: Isn’t Matt Bomer gay? He openly talked about how uncomfortable the filming for ‘Magic Mike’ was… It would be harder to film full-out kinky sex scenes than just stripping.
Christian Grey has potential, unlike the other characters, and warrants an actor with that ‘extra special something’ in addition to looking the part in more ways than one – Grey the CEO, Grey the smouldering bad boy. Bomer could probably play the former but not the latter convincingly. Ian on the other hand just exudes Grey in every way.
Christian Bale is PERFECT for the role. He’s got it all!!! Ian is just not man enough… sorry…
If Bale could pass for 27/28 then he would be a contender, but he’s knocking 40 and looks it. Still hot though!
Jensen Ackles!! Omgosh so hott and he has that smouldering bad boy thing with a side of sweetness. I would love to see more of him! Please please please make him Christian Grey!!
Ian Somerhalder is Christian grey. i can not even picture anybody else in that Role!!!
paul walker should play cristian grey
christian bale is christian gray¡¡¡
HES TO OLD FOR GREY…SORRY SWEET-HEART.
I just can’t see Matt Bomer who has openly admitted to being gay plays the part of Christian Grey… no matter how good of an actor you are. In the campus paper interview that brought Anastasia to Christian Grey, she asked him if he were gay. This is a very intense moment that will essentially set the tone for both lead characters. It’s hard to imagine and be captivated by a Christian Grey who can never fall in love with Anastasia because they are on the same team! I think Ian Somerhalder is the perfect Christian Grey!!!
YES!!! he really should play CHRISTIAN GREY!!!! hes hot and if you look at some of the pictures of whne he has copper hair…wooo eee!!!! :) hes perfect. And if you watch the vampire diaries you could soo see how his cocky-ness and ways are just like Grey!
I think chris pine(star trek) should play christian grey Emma Watson (Harry potter) Anne Hathaway should play ana Steele
I think that Alexander Skarsgard would make the perfect Christian Grey.
I think ian is perfect christian grey in real lifee. Nobdy can be a better christian thn hm. He has all the qualities grey has -perfect eyes, smile, bdy,- & he smirks lkye christian too & i thnk mote thn hlf ov the ppl who hve read the bk pictures ian as CG. And castings sum1 else might loose a lot of fans fr the film. Sooo go on cast ian wdot doubt!!!!! He is our CG.Dont u agree grlsssss:p
ian somerhalder is PERFECT for the role . & he is really HOT!!!
No, definitely Christian Bale, 38 is a man, 28 still too boyish, I don’t care how old Grey is in the book, Christian Bale is the man for the part, mmuch more edgy looking than Ian. He is too model like, no thanks. Scatlett Johannsann for Anatassia.
Christian Bale? Ryan Gosling? Alexander Skarsgard??? What the hell is wrong with you people? The entire concept of Christian Grey is a man who is very corrupt, sexually driven, dark, and extremely brilliant. Sure, there are a number of actors who could pinpoint this mentality in playing the part. But what maks or breaks this role is PHYSICAL DESCRIPTION. Blue (grey) eyes, with dark, copper, flippy hair, great physical build, gorgeous face, perfect teeth, 28 YEARS OLD, with an all american look to top it off. IAN SOMERHALDER’S look has the edge that none of these other actors have that you guys are suggesting. I will not see this film if Ian is not cast for Christian Grey. This doesn’t need to be another Twilight/Robert Pattison fall-out whose star actor isn’t up to par to do justice for the character.
IAN IS CHRISTIAN GREY, PERIOD.
OMG HES SOOO PERFECT!!! The look..the attitude… the body ohhh yumm…I would definitely watch the movie if Ian is playing in it !!He’s Christian Grey…50 Shades!!
I see Ashton Kurcher (sp?) as Christian.
HENRY CAVILL (The Tudors and upcoming Superman) is perfect to play Christain Grey. Extremely good looking, acting talent and has played septic scenes before.
Christian is the only one that could do that role justice. He will be the only one that brings me into the theater to watch this movie. He is knowledgeable about the books, knows the script, and is about as sexy as they come. You can’t have Ian without Christ..Ian. 50 shades!
ITS PERFECT! HIM OR MATTHEW BOMMER