It's less than a year until the Fifty Shades of Grey movie is due in cinemas yet there doesn't seem to have been any firm casting decisions made. The movie, which will be an adaptation from EL James' best-selling erotic fiction of the same name, will have British director Sam Taylor-Johnson (Nowhere Boy) at its helm but nothing more appears to have been set in concrete.

Dakota Johnson
Will Dakota Johnson Really Take The Lead 50 Shades Character?

The role of Christian Grey - the billionaire with a BDSM fetish - has been the most media-covered role so far, with Ian Somerhalder wanting the role, Garrett Hedlund rejecting the role and Taylor-Johnson's own husband, Aaron, rumored for the part. However, it has emerged that we may know who plays student-turned-sex-slave Anastasia Steele first, namely Dakota Johnson.

The Wrap reports that according to "individuals familiar with the project," Johnson is one of the up-and-coming actresses being considered to play 'Ana.' Apparently, the 23 year-old fits the filmmakers' ideals: she's proved her acting skills in memorable scenes alongside Justin Timberlake in The Social Network and is comfortable appearing in various stages of undress having come from a modelling background.

Dakota Johnson 50 Shades
A Pot Of Brown Hair Dye & Bada-Bing Bada-Boom.

She, like many other women, would fit EL James' slightly vague description of Steele: pale skin, blue hair, long brown hair and slim are all physical characteristics James attributes to Ana. One feature that could be hard to get right is Steele's "upturned nose" which Johnson doesn't particularly have but it's not like anyone will be focussing on her nose anyway...

Dakota Johnson Anastasia Steele
Who Knows What The Audition Procedure For 50 Shades Is...

Furthermore, Johnson is also at the perfect level of fame: the role of Ana will propel its actress to mega-fame but this would be less useful for an already well-established star. Her career is budding, and set to get bigger. The only risk is that, not at the household name stage yet, Johnson risks her entire A-list career being defined by the racy movie that has already promised to not hold back on any of James' juicy details.

Charlie Hunnam
This Is Charlie Hunnam. JUST CHOOSE SOMEBODY ALREADY!

As for Grey? Twitch is now reporting that Pacific Rim star Charlie Hunnam is a favourite for the role, describing the 33 year-old Geordie as "producers' prime target." We're not holding our breath with that particular Grey rumour but the excitement surrounding Dakota Johnson is the most feverish yet, after score of other actresses distanced themselves from the role. Emma Watson, Shailene Woodley and Mila Kunis are just a few of the many actresses who have reportedly rejected the decidedly kinky role.

Could Dakota Johnson be the one to finally take on the whips and chains?