Justin Bieber In 'Fifty Shades Of Grey' Movie? Rumors Suggest Bieber Could Play Christian Grey

Just as it appeared the attention surrounding "Fifty Shades of Grey" couldn't get any greater, new reports indicate the pop singer Justin Bieber may have been approached to play the lead role in the film version of the best-selling book.

Although Bieber has made his career as a teen heartthrob, New Musical Express said he claimed he has been approached to play Christian Grey in the big-screen adaptation.

"The actually want me to be in the movie," Bieber reportedly told British television talk-show host Jonathan Ross.

The young star, who is dating singer Selena Gomez, did not reveal whether his talks to star in the film went further than that.

Speculation about the "Fifth Shades of Grey" movie has been rampant since Universal Pictures and Focus Features purchased the screen rights to the so-called mommy porn book. Despite the enthusiasm, the movie still has no screenwriter or director. However, a slew of major stars have been rumored to be connected with the project. Ryan Gosling, Alexander Skarsgard, and Channing Tatum are just a few of the names in the rumor mill, although there has also been speculation about porn star James Deen.

One Gather contributor hates the idea of Bieber taking the role that has made so many people excited.

"Even if the movie gets made 10 years from now, when baby-faced Bieber is old enough for the role, it's hard to imagine him being able to pull off playing a dark, seductive character like Christian Grey," Aida Ekberg wrote. "However, there were once reports that the Biebs wanted to play Mark Wahlberg's crazy, murderous character in a remake of the movie 'Fear.' So who knows? Maybe Justin's 'Fifty Shades' boast is just wishful thinking. Selena Gomez better watch out -- Justin Bieber has more than enough money to build his own Red Room of Pain."

The book's popularity hasn't been limited to Barnes & Noble or Universal Pictures, however: New York hardware stores have reported an increased number of female shoppers looking for rope and other devices to spice up their sex lives. With 5.5 million copies sold in the U.K., the novel is the most popular book of all time there.