If you thought Charlie Hunnam, the 'Sons of Anarchy' actor, is sulking about quitting the role of the controversial fictional character 'Christian Grey' in the film adaptation of blockbuster erotic novel "Fifty Shades of Grey", well think again.
Hunnam is apparently 'relieved' to drop the role, according to several reports.
Though Universal Pictures confirmed Hunnam's decision to quit the role on grounds of 'intense television schedule', inside sources told Entertainment Wise that the British hunk had actually developed 'cold feet' about the project and backed out just a week before production could start.
"It was something he had been concerned about for a while and it was a difficult decision, and the contract wasn't fully signed. I don't think he was expecting it to be such a huge deal and he wasn't comfortable with all the attention," a source told Fox 411.
"It's a big relief. He doesn't need that kind of pressure. He doesn't need to be a huge star. He just wants to keep working and take on interesting roles. He's happy."
Speculations are galore about why Hunnam quit the role. According to The Atlantic Wire, the 'Pacific Rim' actor was concerned about being typecast into the role and was very worried about the long term effects the character could have on his career.
"What he was taking on with this role was not what Charlie wants in his future career. The attention and the pressure was intense. More than anything, he hates attention, and being in 'Fifty Shades of Grey' would force him to do lots of media. ... Charlie doesn't want to be massively famous," an insider told E!News.
So now that Hunnam is out, who will play Christian Grey?
Several names are being tipped for the role. Jamie Dornan of the "Fall Guy", Alexander Skarsgard of "True Blood", Alex Pettyfer of "Magic Mike" and Ian Somerhalder of "The Vampire Diaries" fame are potential candidates for the character, reported New York Daily News.
Initially, there was a lot of fury on the casting when Hunnam and Dakota Johnson were announced the lead characters of the film. Producers and executives of the film started receiving tweets on how they had made the wrong choice. Fans even went on to file a petition to replace Hunnam and Johnson with Matt Bomer and Alexis Bledel, reported HNGN.
Just like Hunnam, Johnson is also facing pressure. "Dakota is having a very hard time dealing with all the press. When she first got the role, it was way too much for her," a source told E! Online.
Will Johnson quit too? Will "Fifty Shades of Grey" outdo the "Twilight" franchise and every Hollywood controversy? Will it be better than the book?
As of now, more than fifty questions cram fans' minds when it comes to the film adaptation of novel.
