Ben Affleck will star as Christian Grey in the film version of erotic best seller Fifty Shades Of Grey.
"We knew we needed an extraordinary actor to take on one of literature's most enduringly popular characters," read a statement from Universal Pictures and Focus Features, "and Ben Affleck certainly fits that bill, and then some. His outstanding career is a testament to his talent and we know he and [director] Sam Taylor-Johnson will bring new dimension to the duality of this character."
Taylor-Johnson also expressed her excitement about the casting news: "He has the acting chops to create a layered portrayal of a man who is older and wiser than Anastasia Steele and bears the scars of a seasoned sado-masochist, but retain the charm that the world sees in millionaire Christian Grey. I can't wait to work with him."
Reaction to Affleck's casting around the internet has been mixed, to say the least.
Ben Affleck would be a terrible choice as a handsome, white, slightly older rich guy in great shape.
— Dan Barrett (@TheDanBarrett) August 23, 2013
You read for a part, you feel good about it, you feel confident, then they cast Ben Affleck.
— Richard Dreyfuss (@RichardDreyfuss) August 23, 2013
For those wondering why Ben Affleck would agree to be in this movie, I have the answer. my 10-year-old just asked: who's Ben Affleck?
— BRIAN MICHAEL BENDIS (@BRIANMBENDIS) August 23, 2013
Ben Affleck, don't check the internet today
— Jordan Alexandra (@jalexxandra) August 23, 2013
SERIOUSLY WHAT'S THE BEEF WITH BEN AFFLECK? He's brilliant in Mallrats.
— Ray (@Reeeehan) August 23, 2013
Listen, Ben Affleck's probably not thrilled with all of your choices either.
— kendall (@notthatkendall) August 23, 2013
In the Ben Affleck version, Christian Grey's mother kills herself.
— Rohan Williams (@rohan_williams) September 2, 2013
Affleck's casting also inspired the hashtag #BetterChristianThanBenAffleck, which was sadly hijacked by confused members of the religious right.
It's the most controversial casting announcement since last month, when Peter Capaldi was cast as Batman.
