Charlie Hunnam has broken his silence for the first time since backing out of the role of Christian Grey in the movie "Fifty Shades of Grey." The 33-year-old actor spoke to E! Online saying that he had some "family stuff" that he needed to focus on after he finishes filming the final season of "Sons of Anarchy."
"I'm doing good. I am just really concentrating on work. It's been a really busy time," he said. "I have had some family stuff going on so just trying to stay focused and stay positive and keep trying to do a good job at work and be with my family and stay positive."
Hunnam and the rest of the "Sons" cast attended the "Hogs for Heart" event benefiting One Heart Source Education Programs in Africa at Mo's Restaurant in Burbank, Calif. According to E! Hunnam's father, Billy, died in May and the actor traveled back to England to be with his family at the time.
He said he would be returning home again once he was done shooting the TV series.
"Like I said, I've got some family stuff I have to tend to. So when I wrap the show, I am going to go to England and see my people and then I have a film that I am doing with Guillermo [del Toro]," he said. "So I am going to go and do that and concentrate on the final season of 'Sons.'"
Universal Pictures and Focus Features announced that Hunnam had quit saying that the actor's busy schedule was to blame.
"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," the studios said in a statement.
Following the split the studios have been trying to find replacement actors to star as the kinky billionaire. According to reports, Jamie Dornan and Billy Magnussen have already done chemistry tests with Dakota Johnson, who was cast as Anastasia Steele.
Other names reportedly being considered include fan-favorite Matt Bomer, Scott Eastwood, Alexander Skarsgard, Theo James and Christian Cooke.
