Summary
Jamie Dornan was nearly not inFifty Shades of Grey, the film that essentially launched his acting career. The popular film adaptation of the bestselling novel of the same name by E.L. James was initially released in theaters on July 25, 2025 and struck a chord in the cultural zeitgeist,becoming one of the most profitable and talked about movies of that year. The film, directed by Sam Taylor-Johnson (Back to Black,Hunters), gave an international spotlight to both Fanning and Johnson, who were at the time still rising leads.Fifty Shades of Greystill holds a career-best recordfor both of its stars,Jamie Dornan and Dakota Johnson.
Dornan skyrocketed to fame with the release ofFifty Shades of Grey, starring alongside Johnson inthe two franchise sequels,Fifty Shades Darker(2017) andFifty Shades Freed(2018).Fifty Shades of Greyearned just under $570 million at the worldwide box office, becoming the eleventh highest-grossing movie of 2015, which was topped byStar Wars: Episode VII - The Force Awakens'$2.07 billion box office gross. Dornan’s highest-grossing films outside theFifty Shadesfilm trilogy areRobin Hood(2018), which earned $85 million worldwide, andA Haunting in Venice(2023), which grossed just under $114 million.
Charlie Hunnam Was Originally Cast As Christian Grey In Fifty Shades Of Grey
Hunnam stepped away from the project in 2013
Charlie Hunnam, best known for his leading role as Jax inSons of Anarchy(2008-2014), was originally slated to play Christian Grey alongside Johnson in Fifty Shades of Grey. The announcement was made in 2013 butHunnam regrettably had to bow out due to scheduling conflicts. It was only a matter of weeks before Hunnam exited the project that Dornan was cast in his place. Hunnam is also known for starring in blockbuster films such asPacific Rim(2013) andKing Arthur: Legend of the Sword(2017). He recently appeared as Kai in Zack Snyder’sRebel Moon - Part One: A Child of Fire.
It’s difficult to predict how starring inFifty Shades of Greywould have affected Hunnam’s career, but it would also have been the highest grossing movie in his filmography, withPacific Rimgrossing a total of $411 million worldwide. If Hunnam had signed on for the fullFifty Shadestrilogy, it would have prevented him from starring in Guillermo del Toro’sCrimson Peak(2015), James Gray’sThe Lost City of Z(2017), Guy Ritchie’sKing Arthur: Legend of the Sword(2017), andPapillon(2018) alongside Rami Malek. If Hunnam has signed don for theFifty Shadestrilogy, it also might have conflicted with Ritchie’s 2019 action filmThe Gentlemen, which is one of Hunnam’s most celebrated projects.
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Why Charlie Hunnam Dropped Out Of The Fifty Shades Of Grey Movie Franchise
Hunnam has spoken out about his decision to leave the celebratedFifty Shadesfranchise before it ever really began. According toVariety, Hunnam looked back with an air of regret but had already committed to star inCrimson Peak. “Oh, it was the worst professional experience of my life. It was the most emotionally destructive and difficult thing that I’ve ever had to deal with professionally. It was heartbreaking. I’d given Guillermo my word, over a year before, that I was going to do this film.”Hunnam’s loyalty to del Toro’s project, which only earned roughly $75 million at the worldwide box office, ended up being the main reason why he missed out on a potentially career-defining role.
While theFifty Shadestrilogy is undeniably popular, all three films received poor reviews from critics, whileCrimson PeakandThe Lost City of Zearned positive Rotten Tomatoes scores of 73% and 86%, respectively. Hunnam further explained,“People were saying, ‘Are you crazy? Guillermo still has got four months to recast, it’s the fourth lead, you may go and do this [instead].’ I said, ‘I can’t. He’s my friend, I’ve done a film with him, I gave him my word.' “I really, really pride myself on being a professional and a man of keeping my word. It means a lot to me, truly.”
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Why Jamie Dornan Was Chosen To Replace Charlie Hunnam As Christian Grey
Dornan was riding on the critical acclaim of The Fall
Dornan and Hunnam were the last two actors standing when director Sam Taylor-Johnson and theFifty Shadesproduction team ultimately went with Hunnam.Like Hunnam, Dornan has been waiting to hear back about the project and was reportedly even relievedwhen the news first broke that Hunnam had gotten the part over him. In an interview withBritish GQ, Dornan revealed “‘I felt a certain amount of relief when he got it, to be honest. I thought, “This would have been fun, but it would have been a strange ride. Better not to be on that ride.” He had also just come off the celebrated seriesThe Fall, which garnered him a lot of momentum going intoFifty Shades of Grey.
Sources:Variety, British GQ
Where To Watch The Fifty Shades Of Grey Movie Trilogy
The 50 Shades Of Grey movie trilogy adapted the popular E.L. James novels — here’s where to watch them all right now.
Fifty Shades of Grey
Cast
Based on the book by E.L. James, Fifty Shades of Grey is the first film in the trilogy that follows naive literature student Anastasia Steele (Dakota Johnson), whose life changes upon meeting the complicated and tormented billionaire Christian Grey (Jamie Dorman). Drawn to each other, the two start a romantic relationship where Steele uncovers Grey’s secrets - and explores her own personal desires.
