Although the movie adaptation of E.L. James' Fifty Shades of Grey may have a launch date for its big screen debut, it still doesn't have its cast, which includes the groundbreaking role of the S&M-crazed billionaire Christian Grey.

The future flick's latest rumor will undoubtedly raise the eyebrows of its many loyalists, as it was reported that The Vampire Diaries' Ian Somerhalder is apparently not in the running for the highly acclaimed part.

According to Us Weekly, James was informing Comic-Con party guests last weekend that the 34-year-old isn't the next Grey.

The shocking news comes a couple months after loyalists begin to speculate that the actor was a frontrunner.

In February, a Fifty Shades of Grey Twitter fan page put a picture of Somerhalder sporting a mask with a verse from the book that read the following:

"All I can see of his face is his beautiful chiseled mouth and strong jaw."

To top if off, James had replied to the post with a smiley face.

Fifty Shades screenwriter Kelly Marcel, who's currently in the process of refining the script, said that she would be sticking to the content of James' books with lots of sex and raunchiness. Only time will truly tell who ultimately will become the next Grey.

The highly anticipated flick is scheduled to kick off on the big screen on Thursday, Aug. 1, 2014. Be sure to check back for more of the latest info on the erotic film. A recent Somerhalder interview from Comic-Con can be viewed below.

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