Matt Bomer 'grateful,' 'touched' by '50 Shades' fan petition Matt Bomer has not been cast in the on-screen adaptation of the erotic novel "50 Shades of Grey"; however, he's still showing his support for the project and its recently announced cast despite fan ire regarding the casting decisions. Author E.L. James, who originally wrote the trilogy as a "Twilight" fan-fiction series, announced over Labor Day weekend that "Ben & Kate" actress Dakota Johnson, 23, and "Sons of Anarchy's" Charlie Hunnam, 33, would play the lead roles of college grad Anastasia Steele and her B&D-obsessed lover Christian Grey. Whether fans thought that the actors weren't pretty enough, famous enough or awesome enough to play the erotic fantasy's main characters is unclear. What is clear is that fans were unhappy with James' and producers' choices and even started a petition on Change.org to recast the film with "White Collar's" Bomer and "Mad Men's" Alexis Bledel in the lead roles. PHOTOS: Meet the 'Fiftty Shades' film's cast and crew We imagine Bomer's role in strip-flick "Magic Mike" had something to do with it... The petition, which had reached more than 55,800 names Thursday, insists this: So please PLEASE, all of the GREYsessed and Bomerettes in the world NEED those actors. They always will be for us the Christian Grey and Anastasia Steele. Bomer -- whether he was in the running or not -- was pretty psyched that the best-selling book's fandom has pushed to have him play the young, dark billionaire. "I'm so grateful for the fans and touched," Bomer, 35, told ETonline. I'm looking forward to seeing the movie with Charlie and Dakota. James even addressed fans following the backlash. All of you," she tweeted shortly after the announcements. Producers Dana Brunetti and Michael De Luca also took to Twitter to explain the casting decisions. And Hunnam and Johnson's "auditions were stunning, incredible chemistry!" wrote De Luca. So, everybody just calm down, before Christian goes all megalomaniacal control freak. Anna Trebunskaya of 'DWTS' is pregnant -- and pleased!