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:

“Matt Bomer is the PERFECT DESCRIPTION OF CHRISTIAN GREY AND ALEXIS BLEDEL IS THE PERFECT ACTRESS TO REPRESENT ANASTASIA STEELE and if THEY ARE NOT, NOBODY WILL BE And I read the whole trilogy and I can assure that Matt is the perfect actor for this movie and Alexis too. 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. WE CAN DO ANYTHING GUYS, ANYTHING.�

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.

PHOTOS: 50 most beautiful female celebrities

“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.

“To all the supporters, lovers and haters - thank you so much for the passion that you have for this project. You all rock. All of you,� she tweeted shortly after the announcements.

PHOTOS: Hollywood backlot moments

Producers Dana Brunetti and Michael De Luca also took to Twitter to explain the casting decisions.

“There is a lot that goes into casting that isn’t just looks. Talent, availability, their desire to do it, chemistry with other actor, etc.,� wrote Brunetti, adding, “So if your favorite wasn’t cast, then it is most likely due to something on that list. Keep that in mind while hating and keep perspective.�

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.

ALSO:

Lamar Odom reportedly enters rehab -- or did he?

Anna Trebunskaya of ‘DWTS’ is pregnant -- and pleased!

Sofia Vergara is TV’s highest-paid actress for second year

Follow Ministry of Gossip @LATcelebs.