UPDATE: Fifty Shades trilogy….. Casting

Charlie Hunnam (Photo by Getty)

Twitter Explodes Over Charlie Hunnam’s ‘Fifty Shades of Grey’ Exit
By Jenny Depper

 
Was "Fifty Shades of Grey" too hot for Charlie Hunnam?

The "Sons of Anarchy" star bid adieu to the sexy title role of Christian Grey in the film adaption of the sex-tangled bestselling book by author E.L. James, and fans and critics aren't buying the studio's reason for his controversial exit.

“The filmmakers of FIFTY SHADES OF GREY and Charlie Hunnam have agreed to find another male lead given Hunnam’s immersive TV schedule which is not allowing him time to adequately prepare for the role of Christian Grey,” Universal Pictures announced on October 12.

The 33-year-old actor started shooting the season 6 finale of his hit FX show on October 11, one day before Universal Pictures released their statement. Several "Sons" fans claim he is too of good an actor for the saucy part, while "50" devotees say he was never destined to play the role in the first place.

UPDATE: Fifty Shades trilogy….. Casting

Charlie Hunnam

 

"Sons of Anarchy" actor Charlie Hunnam has nabbed one of the most talked-about roles in Hollywood with his casting in the upcoming adaptation of EL James' "Fifty Shades of Grey."  

 

 Hunnam will star in the film as the male lead, Christian Grey, a businessman with a taste for kinky sex. James announced Hunnam's casting last week on Twitter, writing, "The gorgeous and talented Charlie Hunnam will be Christian Grey in the film adaptation of 'Fifty Shades of Grey.'" In addition to his role in "Sons of Anarchy," Hunnam has also appeared in "Pacific Rim," "Children of Men," and "Cold Mountain."

Dakota Johnson

The 33-year-old actor will star opposite actress Dakota Johnson who will play Grey's love interest, Anastasia Steele. Johnson's resume includes roles in "21 Jump Street," "The Five-Year Engagement," and "The Social Network."


After the initial frenzy surrounding the announcement, and the ensuing backlash, died down, Hunnam spoke about the role, voicing his excitement about playing the man that made James' debut novel the fastest-selling book of all time.

"[I am] so excited to be entrusted with this empowered character," Hunnam told Entertainment Tonight. He went on to add that he "anticipated" the major reactions that fans had to his casting, saying, "These books were a global phenomenon. I isolate myself [so I] haven't been too aware of what's [going on in] social media."

Hunnam also recently spoke about working with Johnson, telling THR, "As soon as we got in the room and started reading with Dakota, I knew that I definitely wanted to do it, because there was a tangible chemistry between us."

Led by director Sam Taylor-Johnson, "Fifty Shades of Grey" will hit theaters on Aug. 1, 2014.