Juan Rico/FAMEFLYNET PICTURESGood news for Jamie Dornan: Max Martini will protect him—on the silver screen, at least.
Meaning? The role of Jason Taylor, Christian Grey's trusted bodyguard in Fifty Shades of Grey, will be played by the 43-year-old actor, the studio behind the film confirmed Tuesday, Nov. 26.
Variety was first to report the casting news.
Martini, whose past roles include parts on Revenge and Captain Phillips, joins an already assembled cast which includes Dornan (Christian), Dakota Johnson (Anastasia Steele), Eloise Mumford (Anatasia's best friend Kate) and Luke Grimes (Christian's brother Elliot). Victor Rasuk will portray Anastasia's close friend José and Jennifer Ehle will be Anastasia's mother, Carla. Sam Taylor-Johnson is directing the movie adaptation of E.L. James' steamy triology, which has sold more than 90 million copies in e-book and print.
Fifty Shades of Grey is expected to begin shooting in December, but it won't hit theaters until Feb. 13, 2015—just in time for Valentine's Day.
And just how hot will the movie be once we finally get to see it? Producer Dana Brunetti told Collider it would definitely have an R-rating, but there was even a possibility of "an NC-17 version that we [would release] a few weeks later."
Oh my! In any case, let those Inner Goddesses get back to rejoicing knowing that our Christian is in good hands with Jason Taylor!
(E! and Universal Pictures are both part of the NBCUniversal family.)