Adaptation will re-cast its male lead…
Universal Pictures and Focus Features have issued an official statement announcing that British actor Charlie Hunnam (‘Sons of Anarchy,’ ‘Pacific Rim,’ ‘Children of Men’) has dropped out of the upcoming film adaptation of ‘Fifty Shades of Grey,’ citing his “immersive TV schedule” for his departure.
Hunnam, who joined the adaptation early last month, was set to star opposite Dakota Johnson (‘Cymbeline,’ ‘Ben and Kate,’ ’21 Jump Street’) in the erotic thriller which follows the relationship of 27-year-old seductive billionaire Christian Grey and college student Anastasia Steele.
Jennifer Ehle (‘Zero Dark Thirty,’ ‘Contagion,’ ‘Pride and Prejudice’) is on board to play Anastasia’s mother in the Sam Taylor-Johnson directed film.
Production was gearing up for an August 1st start but will likely be pushed back to allow the studio to find Hunnam’s replacement.