Sons of Anarchy actor Charlie Hunnam will stay focused on his motorcycles because he’s dropped out of his role in the upcoming skin flick 50 Shades of Grey…
It seems like Jax Teller isn’t interested in turning grey.
The news was released on Saturday that Sons of Anarchy lead actor Charlie Hunnam has dropped out of his role as Christian Grey in the upcoming film version of the popular book ‘50 Shades of Grey‘ that was set to begin filming later this year.
Hunnam was cast just recently in the lead role, but now according to the studio because of his busy schedule filming Sons of Anarchy, he will be unable to play the part.
The statement from Universal Pictures:
“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.”
E.L. James the author of the book also offered up some brief support via Twitter.
I wish Charlie all the best. x
— E L James ???? (@E_L_James) October 12, 2013
Hunnam was cast opposite Dakota Johnson in the starring role about the steamy relationship between a billionaire and a young woman who get caught up in a sexy affair.
Of course there’s always something to be said for reading between the lines on an announcement like this. Fans of the books seemed split on the casting of both Hunnam and Johnson in the lead roles, although that will happen with virtually every movie that casts pivotal roles in a popular book being made into a film.
Since the casting news was announced, Hunnam also seemed somewhat reluctant to embrace the role in some interviews and it’s possible he was never really committed to the role and this is an easy way out.
Either way, Hunnam will go back to his successful TV career as the lead on Sons of Anarchy — which continues to break ratings records during its penultimate season — and the creators of 50 Shades of Grey will look for another actor to fill the kinky shoes of Christian Grey.