Here's which actors passed on the 'Fifty Shades of Grey' lead roles

"Fifty Shades of Grey" may have dominated the box office this weekend, but it wasn't exactly easy adapting E.L. James' best selling novel for the big screen.

While Dakota Johnson and Jamie Dornan ended up playing Anastasia Steele and Christian Grey, respectively, finding the right chemistry between two actors with available schedules proved fairly difficult.

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Dakota Johnson and Jamie Dornan landed the coveted roles of Anastasia Steele and Christian Grey.

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Actor Charlie Hunnam dropped out of "Fifty Shades" after being cast.

Just 11 days later, "Once Upon A Time" actor Jamie Dornan was cast in the role.

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Jamie Dornan in "Fifty Shades"

"There is a lot that goes into casting that isn't just looks. Talent, availability, their desire to do it, chemistry with other actor, etc … So if your favorite wasn't cast, then it is most likely due to something on that list. Keep that in mind while hating and keep perspective."

Brunetti was apparently hinting at the handful of actors who actually turned down the leading roles.

While "50 Shades" author E.L. James has said actor Ryan Gosling was the original prototype for Christian Grey, he doesn't do sequels.

"50 Shades" is a guaranteed trilogy.

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"50 Shades" author E.L. James has said actor Ryan Gosling was the original prototype for Christian Grey

"Hedlund was heavily courted by Universal, but the 'Tron: Legacy' star passed in July because he couldn't connect with the character," according to The Hollywood Reporter.

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Garrett Hedlund

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Fan favorite Matt Bomer

Fans had their own casting ideas, pushing for Somerhalder as Christian Grey and Alexis Bledel to play Anastasia Steele, in a fan-created mashup trailer that received over a million views.

The role of Anastasia Steele was also a tricky one to cast.

According to Newsweek, "'Pretty Little Liars' star Lucy Hale auditioned, as did 'The Carrie Diaries'' Chloe Bridges, but neither was quite prepared to tackle the subject matter. Hale said the audition made her 'uncomfortable.'"

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Actress Lucy Hale

"The scene was, like, the girl telling her friends about some sexcapade she had," explained Bridges. "But it goes into extreme detail and uses the word 'sperm' a couple times. I was like, 'I don't know, guys, I have to go home to my grandparent's house in a few months at Christmas, I don't know if I can do this.'"

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Actress Chloe Bridges

And so, the role went to Melanie Griffith and Don Johnson's 25-year-old daughter, Dakota Johnson, who had previously only appeared in minor but memorable roles in "21 Jump Street" and "The Social Network."

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