"Fifty Shades of Grey" producers are still on the hunt for the new Christian Grey after Charlie Hunnam abruptly backed out. There are several names that have been mentioned as top contenders - Jamie Dornan, Billy Magnussen, Scott Eastwood, Matt Bomer, Theo James, Alexander Skarsgard and Christian Cooke - but no one involved with the movie has said if the rumors are true.
Recently producer Michael De Luca attended the Hollywood Film Awards to accept an award and took the time to answer some of the burning questions people have about the film and the casting process, the Los Angeles Times reports.
De Luca refused to say whether Dornan and Magnussen are being considered to replace Hunnam but he did say the actor will be a newcomer. Some fans didn't like the fact that both the male and female lead roles went to relatively unknown actors but it looks like producers are determined to get a newbie to play the troubled billionaire.
"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 said. "It's like casting Superman or James Bond. A fresh face is appropriate."
Just weeks before filming was supposed to begin Hunnam abruptly quit the movie. Universal Pictures and Focus Features released a statement saying Hunnam's hectic schedule was not allowing him to prepare for the role but there has been several rumors suggesting that he got cold feet.
"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.
The 33-year-old actor gave his first interview since quitting but was extremely vague when asked why he backed out of the role.
"I have had some family stuff going on so just trying to stay focused and stay positive," he told E! News.
In May Hunnam's father died and he had to return home to be with his family. He told E! after he finishes filming the final season of "Sons of Anarchy" (which wraps in a few weeks) he would be returning back home to England.
De Luca said that Johnson was still eager to get on set despite the casting shake-up. There were reports that the 24-year-old actress was sad Hunnam backed out but was eager to meet the new actor who will play Grey. Reportedly she was even helping producers search for the replacement actor.
"I happen to think Dakota could have chemistry with a mailbox," De Luca said. "But we're going to help her out and hook her up with the right person."
He also said filming is still scheduled to begin Nov. 13.
