The hunt is on for the next Christian Grey. According to The Hollywood Reporter, producers have already set up test screen shots with potential replacements since Charlie Hunnam backed out of the role.
Actors Billy Magnussen and Jamie Dornan have reportedly already done reading tests with Dakota Johnson, who will play Anastasia Steele. A source told THR that there is only a short list of actors being approached for the role and besides Dornan and Magnussen, fan-favorite Matt Bomer, Scott Eastwood, Alexander Skardgard, Theo James and Christian Cooke are all being considered.
Universal Pictures and Focus Features are reportedly trying to hurry up and recast the role so they don't have to push back the release date. It was already announced that the movie would be hitting theaters
Aug. 1, 2014 and filming was scheduled to begin Nov. 1.
Eastwood teased fans on Twitter asking them what they thought about him playing the billionaire and of course they loved it.
"YOU need to be Christian Grey or I ain't watchin. Haha," one user commented.
"As a big FSOG fan, I think you would be AMAZING as Christian Grey!! You definitely have my vote!! #TeamEastwood," someone else wrote.
"Go for it!! You should be Christian," another said in all caps.
"You are so the Perfect Mr. Grey! Please make it so..." another Twitter user wrote.
If the testing goes well fans could hear about a casting decision soon. E.L. James recently tweeted that she headed back to Los Angeles but posted "Why, oh why, oh why..." leaving some fans wondering if she was talking about the recasting process.
At one point it was rumored that Dakota Johnson was also going to back out but sources told Hollywood Life that actress isn't going anywhere and was in fact trying to help the studios recast the lead role.
"For Dakota, she was sad that Charlie had to back out but she is very excited to see who will take the role," a source said. "She is in constant contact with producers and the studio and she is very willing to help out in any way and is looking forward to do readings with everyone who is available for the role. She is taking things well since she is still a part of the film."
