Lead actor drops out of 'Fifty Shades of Grey' movie

Charlie Hunnam, who previously expressed delight after getting cast for Fifty Shades movie, drops out due to his “immersive TV schedule”.

11:48 14 October 2013

Charlie Hunnam has pulled out of the lead role in the forthcoming movie adaptation of 50 Shades of Grey.

This has been confirmed by Universal by way of a statement: “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.”

Hunnam is best known for his work on acclaimed TV show Sons of Anarchy. He also appeared in the film Pacific Rim.

Charlie’s casting as Christian Grey, which was announced last month, divided fans with some claiming he wasn’t right for the role.

Meanwhile, Dakota Johnson, the daughter of stars Melanie Griffith and Don Johnson, is still lined up to pay Ana in the movie even though her casting was also criticized by some.

Published in 2011, Fifty Shades of Grey became a literary sensation. The erotic fiction received scolding reviews but was met with massive sales. The novel and its two sequels (Fifty Shades Darker and Fifty Shades Freed) have earned its author E L James a reported £61m last year alone.

James sent a message on Twitter expressing her best wishes to Hunnam.