"50 Shades of Grey" loses its Christian as Charlie Hunnam quits film

PanARMENIAN.Net - Charlie Hunnam has exited the Fifty Shades of Grey movie, Digital Spy said.

Hunnam's television commitments to Sons of Anarchy were cited in a statement from Universal as the reason for him leaving the highly-coveted role of Christian Grey in the adaptation of EL James's novel.

The Universal statement read: "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."

Fifty Shades of Grey author James also addressed the matter on Twitter, writing simply: "I wish Charlie all the best. x"

Hunnam was cast as the male lead in Fifty Shades of Grey in September to star opposite Dakota Johnson, who will play Anastasia Steele.

Universal's casting choices were met with some criticism from fans of James's erotic novel.

Hunnam recently commented that he understood the disapproving reaction, but insisted that he was taking the role seriously.

The actor also said that he was not at all reluctant to shoot the movie's potentially explicit sex scenes.

Hunnam had received the backing of Olivia Wilde, Brad Pitt and his Sons of Anarchy showrunner Kurt Sutter, along with other stars.

It was recently reported that Jennifer Ehle is in talks to join Fifty Shades of Grey to play Anastasia Steele's mother Carla.

Fifty Shades of Grey will be released next August and is directed by Sam Taylor-Johnson.