Charlie Hunnam is offering his support to his "Fifty Shades of Grey" replacement Jamie Dornan. Hunnam abruptly quit the role of Christian Grey, the sexy and kinky billionaire in October. At the time Universal Pictures and Focus Features released a statement saying that Hunnam's "immersive TV schedule" was not allowing him enough time to adequately prepare for the role.
Some people thought the excuse was bogus and rumors quickly began circulating that he left because he wanted more money, didn't like script and was afraid the movie would bomb. There were also rumors that the "Sons of Anarchy" star wasn't comfortable with all the attention he was getting.
E! News caught up with Hunnam in ... and he gave a very, very vague answer about why he had to quit the movie.
"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."
Since then he hasn't said anything about the movie until TMZ caught up with him and asked him what he thought about his replacement.
"I'm sure he'll do a great job," Hunnam said. "I don't really know his work. But I know [director Sam Taylor-Johnson] is amazing. She has fantastic taste so I'm sure he'll do a great job."
Dornan was announced as the new Christian Grey two week after Hunnam's exit. Because the movie was put on hold to recast the lead male role production was forced to be pushed back. At first "Fifty Shades" was supposed to start filming in mid-November but will not start Dec. 2 in Vancouver.
The release date for the film was also pushed back but Donna Langley, Universal Pictures Chairman said the new release date had nothing to do with Hunnam's exit from the movie. Instead of hitting theaters Aug. 1, 2014 the movie will premiere around the world on Feb. 13, 2015.
