Britney Spears Wants James Franco to Replace Charlie Hunnam in Fifty Shades of Grey

"I think he's really cool," the "Work Bitch" singer says of the actor

By Zach Johnson Oct 17, 2013 1:29 PMTags
Britney Spears, James FrancoJim Spellman/WireImage, Jennifer Cooper

If it were up to Britney Spears, the search for Christian Grey already would be over. As Fifty Shades of Grey producers scramble to find a replacement for Charlie Hunnam, the "Work Bitch" singer has nominated one of her favorite actors to take the star's place.

"I love James Franco," the pop princess said during a radio interview with KIIS-FM UK on Wednesday, Oct. 16. "I think he's really cool."

Franco is no stranger to tackling tricky roles. The 35-year-old actor earned acclaim for his role in The Broken Tower (which he also wrote, directed and produced), and he's appeared in provocative pictures like Spring Breakers, Milk and Lovelace.

One of the hosts said he preferred Ryan Gosling, who passed on the project months ago. Coincidentally, the Only God Forgives star was on The Mickey Mouse Club with Spears in the early ‘90s.

"I had a dream about him last night," the musician admitted. But no, it wasn't that kind of dream. "We were just talking, having a conversation," Spears giggled. "I wish it was like that!"

With Hunnam exiting Fifty Shades of Grey just weeks before production was scheduled to begin, the hunt is on to find Anastasia Steele's sadomasochistic counterpart. A source has confirmed to E! News that Universal Pictures has "expressed interest" in French-Canadian actor François Arnaud. Other contenders include Jamie Dornan and Christian Cooke.

Who would you like to see replace Hunnam in Fifty Shades of Grey?