14 DAY TRIAL // Charlie Hunnam dropped out of the upcoming “Fifty Shades of Grey” movie citing his busy schedule on “Sons of Anarchy,” amid talk of creative disputes behind closed doors, a tiny paycheck, and his sudden terror of fans of E.L. James’ three original novels on which the film franchise will be based.
The studio and James herself are now working against the clock to find a replacement in time for the November start production date but, at the same time, they’re also doing a bit of damage control – and crowd control too.
Fans want Matt Bomer or Ian Somerhalder for the role of Christian Grey and they’re certainly not making a secret out of it. It’s unlikely that producers would ever pay heed to what they have to say, judging from what producer Michael De Luca said at the Hollywood Film Awards 2013.
“I feel like everyone has an idea of what these characters look like and sound like, so to present the world with fresh faces – where no pre-conceived notions or baggage come with it – is best,” he says, as cited by the Los Angeles Times.
“It's like casting Superman or James Bond. A fresh face is appropriate,” he adds.
If you recall, the actors cast for the roles of Superman and James Bond were not to fans’ liking at first: Henry Cavill was practically a newcomer, while Daniel Craig was considered “too blonde” to ever make a convincing 007.
What De Luca is trying to do is get fans to understand that they can’t cast an actor just because they want him, and that they should prepare themselves for disappointment because, let’s face it, whoever they pick for Grey will initially be deemed the worst choice possible, if only for the fact that he’s not Somerhalder or Bomer.
“Fifty Shades of Grey” will be out in theaters on August 1 next year.