Fifty Shades of Grey author E. L. James warned fans to "hold on to your hats" because "it's about to get serious" over the weekend on Twitter, foreshadowing major casting news for the trilogy's film adaptation. How serious? Actor Charlie Hunnam, who was cast in September as young billionaire Christian Grey, will no longer assume the role of the movie's leading man.
Dakota Johnson, 24, will still play Anastasia Steele, but who will star beside her in the film -- premiering Aug. 1, 2014 -- is up in the air. Fan favorites such as Ian Somerhalder, Matt Bomer and Henry Cavill (pictured above from left to right) are some of the names being tossed around as possible replacements.
"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," the film's official Facebook page announced.
Hunnam, 33, most recently starred in science-fiction flick Pacific Rim and currently portrays protagonist Jax Teller in the TV series Sons of Anarchy.
"I wish Charlie all the best. x," E. L. James tweeted after the news surfaced.
Okay girls and boys - hold on to your hats - it's about to get serious...
— E L James (@E_L_James) October 12, 2013
I wish Charlie all the best. x
— E L James (@E_L_James) October 12, 2013
Meanwhile, aside from the announced scheduling conflicts, The Hollywood Reporter reports that Hunnam "got cold feet about carrying such a high-profile project," particularly after the media frenzy that ensued after his September casting reveal.
The Fifty Shades trilogy, which has sold more than 70 million copies in ebook and print worldwide in 50 languages, centers on Christian's kinky relationship with recent college graduate Anastasia. Christian requires Anastasia to sign a sexual contract, and the two routinely engage in acts such as bondage.
Sam Taylor-Johnson will direct the film, which Universal Pictures and Focus Features will release, while Dana Brunetti and Michael De Luca will serve as producers.
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