'50 Shades of Grey' Movie: James Franco Says Gus Van Sant Might Be Director

50 Shades of Grey movie casting watchers who are rooting for Ian Somerhalder and Matt Bomer best beware—now James Franco is interested in playing Christian Grey.

The actor didn't seem like he was a 50 Shades fan recently when he labeled E. L. James' popular book about BDSM the "dime store version of bondage." However, now he's changed his tune and has said that he would say yes to starring in the movie. Perhaps his rumored girlfriend Ashley Benson talked him into the idea since she's such a big fan of 50 Shades—she's said before that she'd like to play Anastasia Steele.

However, James Franco will only star in the 50 Shades of Grey movie under one condition. According to Marie Claire, here's what he said about the film:

"It sounds interesting, I heard Gus [Van Sant] might direct it. If he directed it, I'd do it."

Sadly James didn't reveal where he got the info that Gus Van Sant might be the director. Franco is currently at Sundance promoting three movies, so it's possible he talked to some Hollywood insiders attending the film festival.

James certainly wouldn't have an issue with the sex in 50 Shades since he's at Sundance to promote films that are all about intercourse. Interior. Leather Bar. is about the explicit gay sex scenes removed from the 1980 movie Cruising; Kink is a documentary about BDSM; and Lovelace is about adult movie actress Linda Lovelace. James plays a young Hugh Hefner in the film.

So James could handle playing Christian Grey, but would Gus Van Sant be a good choice for the director of 50 Shades?

James and Gus previously worked together on the movie Milk, which garnered tons of critical acclaim. That movie snagged an Oscar nomination for Van Sant, and he also scored a nom for Good Will Hunting. Some of his other great works include Drugstore Cowboy, Elephant, and My Own Private Idaho.

Van Sant has also proved that he's not afraid to take risks. His quirky comedy Even Cowgirls Get the Blues was about a female hitchhiker with a gigantic, phallic thumb (obviously this movie was not his best work).

James and Gus definitely seem to enjoy working together since they teamed up again to work on the movie My Own Private River, which pays tribute to late star River Phoenix. A good working relationship would definitely be important for a movie like 50 Shades since there will be a lot of awkward intimate scenes.

So would you like to see James and Gus team up once again for 50 Shades?

Photo Source: Wikimedia

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