Hunnam opts out of Fifty Shades... due to hectic schedule

Actor Charlie Hunnam has dropped out of playing the male lead in the screen adaptation of Fifty Shades of Grey.  The 33-year-old was supposed to play Christian Grey in the movie adaptation of E.L. James’ novel, but because of his busy TV schedule, he had to turn down the role. 

A replacement for Hunnam, who features in TV show Sons of Anarchy, is yet to be named. Universal Pictures said Hunnam’s withdrawal was a mutual decision, reports mirror.co.uk. 

In a statement, the firm added that the time the actor had to prepare for the film had been limited by his television work. To be directed by Sam Taylor-Johnson, Fifty Shades of Grey will release in 2014. E L James broke the news via Twitter that Hunnam and Johnson had been cast as sex-obsessed billionaire Christian Grey and naive student Anastasia Steele.