The feature film adaptation of Fifty Shades of Grey continues to move forward, slowly but surely.  Nearly a year after Universal and Focus Features landed the project, a director was finally set this past June in Nowhere Boy helmer Sam Taylor-Johnson.  At the time, Felicity Jones was reportedly “in the mix” to play the film’s female lead, Anastasia Steele, but a deal never materialized.  E.L. James’ erotic novels center on the relationship between the young college graduate and a young business magnate named Christian Grey.  While firm casting decisions have yet to be made, Taylor-Johnson is currently staring down an August 1, 2014 release date, so production has to get underway relatively soon.

As such, one actress that is reportedly being eyed to play Anastasia is Ben and Kate star and The Social Network standout Dakota Johnson.  Hit the jump for more.

The folks over at The Wrap report that, while a number of young actresses are currently being considered to play Anastasia in the film, Dakota Johnson is one of them.  The daughter of Don Johnson and Melanie Griffith, Johnson has primarily been seen in comedic roles as of late.  Her first prominent appearance was in David Fincher’s The Social Network as a young college student who accidentally introduces Justin Timberlake’s Sean Parker to Facebook, and while the role was only one scene, it certainly made an impression.  In addition to modeling experience, Johnson has also had roles in 21 Jump Street and The Five-Year Engagement, and she led the short-lived Fox comedy series Ben and Kate with Nat Faxon.

Johnson will next be seen in Need for Speed with Aaron Paul, and the 23-year-old seems like a suitable fit for what producers are looking for in Anastasia.  Analeigh Tipton (Crazy, Stupid, Love.) was apparently also considered for the role at one point.  While The Wrap reiterates that no official casting decisions have been made, Johnson is apparently one of the actresses under consideration so it’s possible that she could come away with the role.  Producers are waiting until they have the Anastasia character filled before moving on to casting Christian Grey, but as filming looks to get underway before Halloween, we should hear firm word soon.