Before Jamie Dornan landed the role as the hot billionaire Christian Grey, English actor Charlie Hunnam was already pegged as one of the original cast. There was a buzz about it on social media, about how Hunnam is said to be perfect for the role of Christian Grey. However, the actor had to back out due to a conflict of schedule.
At that time, when the role was offered to him, Hunnam's schedule was tied up. The actor's schedule was already hectic, between doing season seven of the Sons of Anarchy as Jackson "Jax" Teller, and Guillermo Del Toro's Crimson Peak landing the role of Dr. Alan McMichael.
According to Vanity Fair, the actor tried to fit Fifty Shades of Grey in his already tight schedule, coming up with various flight plans to and fro production areas but eventually decided that it was too messy and rather emotionally damaging. Ultimately, the actor lets Fifty Shades a pass, Hunnam recalled it to be as, "the worst professional experience" of his life.
Furthermore, a blessing in disguise for Hunnam is that the actor is said to be a germophobe. On an interview, he shared his struggle on doing intimate scenes.
According to ET Online, Hunnam expresses in an interview that the actor was said to be "profoundly germophobic" since his early childhood. Moreover, the actor says that the only person he will ever kiss in his whole life is his girlfriend.
Four years after the first movie was released, Hunnam admitted that he has never seen the first movie nor will he ever decide to watch the following sequels. Despite that, the actor still only have positive feedback for Dornan.
"I would've brought a certain rugged charm to (the role) but believe me, he's going to do just fine," he says. Hunnam described Dornan as "probably a lot better looking and a lot smoother."
Hunnam said he would be willing to have his audition tape included as a DVD extra, to compensate on what his fans have missed out.
Recently, Hunnam is committed to a new project. The actor is taking on the role of King Arthur, in a Guy Ritchie-directed action movie "King Arthur: Legend of the Sword."