Charlie Hunnam Drops Out Of FIFTY SHADES OF GREY

In a stunning turn of events over the weekend, star of F/X’s “Sons Of Anarchy”, Charlie Hunnam, has left FIFTY SHADES OF GREY.

The filmmakers of Fifty Shades of Grey The Movie 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.

No word yet on who will replace the lead male character in Universal Pictures and Focus Features’ highly anticipated film adaptation.

Earlier this summer Hunnam starred in Guillermo del Toro’s PACIFIC RIM with Idris Elba, Rinko Kikuchi, Charlie Day and Ron Perlman (HELLBOY, “Sons Of Anarchy”).

Dakota Johnson will play the lead female character,  Anastasia Steele.

Johnson is also starring in writer/director Michael Almereyda’s modern day adaption of Shakespeare’s timeless play CYMBELINE with Anton Yelchin, Ethan Hawke, Ed Harris and Milla Jovovich and DreamWorks Studios’ NEED FOR SPEED alongside Aaron Paul, Dominic Cooper, and Imogen Poots

FIFTY SHADES OF GREY, which will be released by Focus Features on August 1, 2014 in North America, is being directed by Sam Taylor-Johnson and produced by Michael De Luca and DanaBrunetti alongside E L James, the author of the #1 bestselling book on whichthe film is based.  The screenplay is by Kelly Marcel.

“Fifty Shades of Grey” has become a global phenomenon and the trilogy has been translated in 50 languages worldwide since itsrelease. To date, the “Fifty Shades” trilogy has sold over 70 million copies worldwide in e-book and print, making it one of the fastest-selling book series ever.

Universal and Focus acquired the rights to the three books in the “Fifty Shades of Grey” trilogy in March 2012. Focus Features will market and distribute the first film in partnership with Universal.

“Fifty Shades of Grey” follows the relationship of 27-year-old billionaire Christian Grey and college student Anastasia Steele. Subsequent novels in the series, “Fifty Shades Darker” and “Fifty Shades Freed,” explore the couple’s deepening relationship.

See the official Fifty Shades of Grey Facebook page: http://www.facebook.com/fiftyshadesofgreymovie