"Fifty Shades of Grey" is apparently the movie that got away for more than one television star.

This week, Hollywood Life reported that Lucy Hale, who plays Aria Montgomery on ABC Family's "Pretty Little Liars," vied for the a role in the movie adaptation of E.L. James' bestselling erotic novel.

"I auditioned for 'Fifty Shades of Grey,'" the 24-year-old actress reportedly told Us Weekly recently.

In 2012, Hale told MTV that year she could play Anastasia's little sister because of her young look, but it's likely that Hale was seeking the lead role of Anastasia Steele, which ultimately went to Dakota Johnson, a 24-year-old relative newcomer known for roles movies such as "21 Jump Street" and most recently "Need for Speed." Hale was quite vocal about wanting what is now Johnson's role back in 2012.

"I just finished the first [book]. I'm speechless," she said in an interview with Celebuzz at the MTV Movie Awards. "I think every girl on the carpet wants to play [Ana]! That would be freaking awesome."

Hale's "Pretty Little Liars" co-star Ashley Benson, who plays Hanna Marin, also expressed interest in the role in the past.

"I've read every book. I want to play Anastasia," she told Celebuzz in 2012. "Kate is awesome. I like all the characters, but Anastasia? I love her so much!"

As the "Pretty Little Liars" stars accept the fact that they will not be bounded by Christian Grey (played by 32-year-old Jamie Dornan) on the big screen, another star has expressed regret in not being able to be in the highly anticipated "Fifty Shades of Grey" movie.

"I felt like I had an interesting take on that character and felt like I could have done a good job of playing Christian Grey. Otherwise I wouldn't have taken it on in the first place," Charlie Hunnam told Life & Style Sunday about giving up the role. "When you put the time into something like that and a character comes alive in your mind, it's heartbreaking not to be able to play him. ... It was definitely kind of heartbreaking having to say goodbye to that character and not bring it to life."

The 34-year-old "Sons of Anarchy" star backed out of the movie a month after getting the lead role amidst fan criticism, blaming a supposed scheduling conflict with his FX show.

"Fifty Shades of Grey" hits theaters Feb. 13, 2015.
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Follow Scharon Harding on Twitter: @ScharHar.

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