Charlie Hunnam cites creative differences for 50 Shades departure

Previously when it was announced that Charlie Hunnam had dropped out of Fifty Shades of Grey it was due to scheduling difficulties citing that he would not have proper time to juggle Sons of Anarchy with prepping for the film. It seems that the scheduling conflicts were just some of the problem because now the story has changed.

Hunnam now cites creative differences as reasoning for suddenly dropping out of the film after being cast for less than a month. These differences caused him to turn down $125,000 payday, so they must have been pretty strong. It also appears that Hunnam was submitting his own script notes and demanding more script control after his notes were not taken and/or approved.
His departure has created a lot of problems with the filming schedule. The studio is frantically trying to find a new Christian Grey so they can make the November 1st start to principle photography and still release the film on August 1, 2014. It is notable to mention that Dakota Johnson is still set to play Anastasia Steele and the current frontrunners for Christian Grey are Jamie Dorner, Christian Cooke, and Alexander Skarsgard. The studio is confident they can still make the release date, but they may be forced to delay production a week or so while the casting search continues.
Whoever is cast must prepare for the sudden fandom. It is also suspected that the fandom added to Hunnam's decision to leave the project. He already had to hire extra security for his Sons of Anarchy appearances and has had to cancel appearances already. Allow me to repeat that he had only been cast less than a month and already that was happening.

If all goes according to plan, Fifty Shades of Grey will be released on August 1, 2014. It is to be directed by Sam Taylor-Johnson.

Fifty Shades of Grey loses Charlie Hunnam

All the fangirls who were complaining can rejoice all at once.

Charlie Hunnam was the lucky one to sign on last month to play Christian Grey in the film adaptation of Fifty Shades of Grey. However, he has reportedly dropped out of the project.
Universal released the following statement:

“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.”

Filming for the adaptation was supposed to begin later this month to meet the August 1, 2014 release date, but with this announcement that could change if they can't find an immediate replacement for Hunnam. This does make sense as Hunnam has a very busy schedule with Sons of Anarchy and that role requires him to maintain a specific look for an extended period of time.
I'm not upset that he dropped out because I think this movie would have ruined his career. Bottom line. He can do better things and not have the Fifty Shades stigma looming over him like Kristen Stewart and Robert Pattinson are still living with the Twilight stigma. It lasts a long time. Hell, people still pigeonhole Sigourney Weaver for Alien and that came out in 1979.

How much you want to bet people are going to immediately go out and start demanding Matt Bomer again.


Adios, Charlie. You have chosen wisely.