'The Vampire Diaries' actor Ian Somerhalder has reportedly stepped up his game in pursuit of the highly coveted role of Christian Grey in the film adaptation of E.L. James' bestselling erotic thriller, '50 Shades of Grey.' According Gather Celebs, the vampire-playing actor has filmed his own screen test as an audition for the role.
The screen test, which involves a series of six short films, is called Time Framed, where Somerhalder channels "his inner bad boy as he plays the part of a secret agent," Celeb Dirty Laundry reported. According to the celebrity gossip site, the videos look like a screen test for the coveted role and could up the ante.
Somerhalder has been a frontrunner for the role, along with 'White Collar' actor Matt Bomer, and these video could in fact give him the ultimate edge. Both actors have led numerous fan polls on Latinos Post, but a newer actor, such as 'Arrow' lead Stephen Amell, could still overtake them. In the last poll between the three actors, Amell took the lead with 38.8 percent, despite strong fan support for Somerhalder and Bomer.
Either way, casting decisions are still a ways away. James, who is working with producers Mike De Luca and Dana Brunetti and screenwriter Kelly Marcel, has told reporters several times that any casting decisions will be made after the screenplay is written and the director is chosen. Rumors began circulating over who would be taking over the lead roles of Christian Grey and Anastasia Steele soon after Universal Pictures and Focus Films purchased the rights to the film earlier this year.
The first film in the highly anticipated series, '50 Shades of Grey,' does not have a scheduled theater release date yet.