'50 Shades of Grey' Casting Rumors: Katie Holmes Prepping To Play Elena, Christian Grey’s Mrs. Robinson In ‘Fifty Shades’ Movie

The “Fifty Shades of Grey” filmmakers may have found their Mrs. Robinson in veteran film actress Katie Holmes.

The National Enquirer reported Friday that Holmes, 34, is hoping to secure the role of Elena Lincoln in the feature-film adaptation of the popular erotic book series. A character described in the trilogy as sexy and elegant, in her late 30s or early 40s, and possessing strikingly platinum-blond hair, is lead character Christian Grey’s former BDSM partner and longtime confidant, frequently referred to as “Mrs. Robinson" in the series.

According to the report, the former “Dawson's Creek" actress is hoping the role will “give her the push” she needs to make it to the top of Hollywood’s A-list after a string of failures in her career. (Holmes' debut Broadway performance in the play “Dead Accounts” close after two months in January). “She’s looking at this as the role of a lifetime for her,” revealed an insider, adding, “It will shock a lot of people, but she thinks Hollywood will sit up and take notice.”

While Holmes is currently on location in Cape Town, South Africa, filming “The Giver” with Alexander Skarsgard and Taylor Swift, sources revealed that she is already prepping for her desired role in the “Fifty Shades of Grey” film. “She knows she has to reinvent herself,” said a source, who claims Holmes is putting in extra hours at the gym to “tone herself up for the part."

Rumors that Holmes is looking to be cast in the highly anticipated film, based on the 2011 book of the same title by best-selling author E.L. James, follows months of speculation about who would play the two leads, Christian Grey and Anastasia Steele. Former “Ben and Kate” sitcom star Dakota Johnson secured the role of Steele, the sexually inexperienced college graduate, in September, as announced by James. TV actor Jamie Dornan was selected for the role of kinky billionaire Christian Grey in late October after his successor, Charlie Hunnam, quit the film for scheduling reasons.

“Fifty Shades of Grey” is scheduled to begin filming in Vancouver in early December. The film is currently set for an August 2014 release.