Los Angeles, Sep 5 : Actor Ryan Gosling was offered the lead role in Sam Taylor-Wood's forthcoming film "Fifty Shades of Grey", but he had turned it down.

Gosling reportedly turned down the part during the casting process because he was not interested in the role, reports hollywoodreporter. com.

Even actress Shailene Woodley was among those stars who turned down a lead role in the film, which is based on the E. L. James trilogy.

Eventually, actors Charlie Hunnam and Dakota Johnson were cast.

"Pacific Rim" star Hunnam will play the male protagonist Christian Grey, while Johnson has been cast as his virginal paramour-turned-willing sex slave Anastasia Steele.(IANS)