There’s been a bit of a shakeup in Focus’ adaptation of the E.L. James novel, Fifty Shades of Grey, as Charlie Hunnam (Pacific Rim, “Sons of Anarchy”) has had to drop out of playing the lead male role, Christian Grey. Hunnam was to star opposite Dakota Johnson who will play Anastasia Steele, but according to the studio, he had to drop out of the film as a result of his “immersive TV schedule”.
Here’s the official statement from Focus and Universal:
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.
[amz asin=”0345803485″]Set to be directed by Sam Taylor-Johnson (Nowhere Boy), the film is currently slated to hit theaters on August 1, 2014 and now a new lead must be found. Recently Jennifer Ehle (Zero Dark Thirty, Contagion) joined the cast as Anastasia’s mother, Carla, but right now it would seem a lead may be the most important role to be filled.
As for Hunnam’s reason for leaving the production, it was always known he had obligations to “Sons of Anarchy” so I’m not sure I believe the reasoning for a second as it sounds to me like Hunnam had second thoughts. I can’t blame him.
Here’s the official synopsis:
Based on the book by E.L. James, Fifty Shades of Grey centers on literature student Anastasia Steele, who goes to interview young entrepreneur Christian Grey and encounters a man who is beautiful, brilliant, and intimidating. The unworldly, innocent Ana is startled to realize she wants this man and, despite his enigmatic reserve, finds she is desperate to get close to him. Unable to resist Ana’s quiet beauty, wit, and independent spirit, Grey admits he wants her, too — but on his own terms.
Shocked yet thrilled by Grey’s singular erotic tastes, Ana hesitates. For all the trappings of success — his multinational businesses, his vast wealth, his loving family — Grey is a man tormented by demons and consumed by the need to control. When the couple embarks on a daring, passionately physical affair, Ana discovers Christian Grey’s secrets and explores her own dark desires.
Erotic, amusing, and deeply moving, the Fifty Shades Trilogy is a tale that will obsess you, possess you, and stay with you forever.
