It seems Sons of Anarchy actor, Charlie Hunnam, won’t be visiting The Red Room of Pain after all. He has officially given up the coveted role of S & M master Mr. Christian Grey, in the film version of E.L. James’s erotic novel, 50 Shades of Grey. His reason for bailing is simple; the Fifty Shades filming schedule conflicts with the Anarchy schedule, not giving him enough time to emotionally prepare for the role. Actors are funny creatures that way. Hunnam was set to star with Dakota Johnson (daughter of Don Johnson and Melanie Griffith), but now the role is open for casting with no ill will held towards Charlie. According to The Huffington Post and Universal’s 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.” However, the filming schedule for Anarchy ends October twenty-first and Fifty Shades begins in early November. There seems to be no scheduling problem at all and perhaps, Hunnam, according to Matthew Belloni, executive editor at The Hollywood Reporter, the English actor is just having cold feet about the highly sexual role.
The casting of Hunnam as Christian Grey was uninspired to fans of the book who have openly voiced their own casting opinions. The role has been closely linked to the White Collar star, Matt Bomer and Vampire Diaries’ hottie, Ian “Smolder” Somerhalder, though the latter has never been officially approached for the role. The writer herself has expressed her desire for Twilight heartthrob Robert Pattinson to take over the role, though it’s highly unlikely that that pairing of literature and film will ever see the light of day. The pairing of Bomer and former Gilmore Girl, Alexis Bledel has even warranted an on-going petition signed by over eighty-six thousand fans. Bomer told fans he is “grateful” and “touched” by the support. E.L. James isn’t bitter about Hunnam’s exit and tweeted him well wishes. With the role of Christian Grey once again up in the air, the August release date for the film will most likely be delayed, leaving studios less than thrilled. Actors Garrett Hedlund, Ryan Gosling, and Chace Crawford have also been associated with the potential of playing the title character. Only time will tell who the lucky man is . . . we all have our favorites.