4. Chace Crawford
Back before Charlie Hunnam was cast as Christian Grey, and when fan favourites like Matt Bomer dropped out of the running, the Gossip Girl actor was briefly considered the fore-runner for the role.
Pros Physically, he's very much in the Ian Somerhalder/Jamie Dornan sort of bracket, which would suit Universal. They clearly don't want to pull up too many trees in the casting, and the good news is that he did see open to offers back in 2013:
I would love the challenge. I have not read the books, but what I know is that it is risqué, and to be honest, anything to shake up from the way I have been going would be good. Hey, if they ask me to come and read, I would definitely do so. I dont even know what the character is like; I havent read anything or heard anything about it!
Cons Gossip Girl might mean too young an established fanbase, and EL James apparently wasn't keen when he was linked to the role, according to
Perez Hilton:"Casting wouldnt look at him as a first, second or even third choice."