Top 10 Entertainment Stories of 2013 by Enstars: No. 4 - 'Fifty Shades of Grey' Movie Cast Announced
One of the most talked about movies in 2013 was the film adaptation of E.L. James' erotic novel Fifty Shades of Grey.
Though the final lineup of lead cast members was announced this year, a lot went into making that happen, including one actor backing out from the coveted lead role.
James revealed on Sept. 2 that Sons of Anarchy star Charlie Hannam will play Christian Grey while 21 Jump Street star Dakota Johnson will play Anastasia Steele. The reveal was made following months of speculation and a number of stars being attached to the roles of college student Steele and the older man she falls in love with, Grey, who happens to also have a thing for S&M. He is described in the book as someone who is tall, with dark copper-colored hair and "smoldering" gray eyes.
The British actor played the lead role of Jackson "Jax" Teller in FX's Sons of Anarchy. The FX series goes into its seventh and final season in 2014.
Top 10 Entertainment Stories of 2012
Not long before filming for the movie was about to begin, Hunnam dropped out of the lead role. Sources said he gave up the role because of "cold feet." Universal Pictures released a statement on Oct. 12 in regards to the actor's exit, citing his filming schedule for Sons of Anarchy as cause for his departure
"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."
Jamie Dornan signed on for the lead role in late October. The Northern Ireland native is most well known for his work as The Huntsman/Sheriff Graham in ABC's Once Upon a Time and serial killer Paul Spector in the BBC's The Fall.
Dornan and Johnson appeared on the Nov. 22 over of Entertainment Weekly, and spoke to the magazine for their first sit-down interview together.
Names of more Fifty cast members have been revealed throughout 2013, including Jennifer Ehle playing Anastasia's mother. Eloise Mumford will play Kate Kavanaugh, Anastasia's best friend and roommate.
Fifty Shades is set to hit theaters on Aug. 1, 2014.
