Charlie Hunnam's Regret Over Exiting 'Fifty Shades' Role: Missed Wealth Opportunity

Charlie Hunnam Has 1 Regret About Dropping Out of Fifty Shades Role

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Charlie Hunnam doesn't want to dwell on the past, especially when it comes to dropping out of the Fifty Shades of Grey film franchise in 2013. When asked about it by TMZ on Monday, May 20, the 44-year-old actor simply said, "Aw man, can’t talk about this." Despite this, he did mention that he had one big regret about not taking on the lead role in the movie.

Hunnam joked, "I'm not nearly as rich as I would have been."

In 2013, it was revealed that Hunnam would play Christian Grey in the film adaptation of Fifty Shades of Grey. However, he later backed out of the three-film series in the same year, citing his busy schedule with the TV show Sons of Anarchy. Hunnam portrayed the lead character, Jax Teller, on the show for seven seasons from 2008 to 2014.

At the time, it was mentioned that the Fifty Shades of Grey series required a lot of time and Charlie Hunnam's priority was always Sons of Anarchy.

Jamie Dornan was then chosen to replace him and appeared in all three films - Fifty Shades of Grey, Fifty Shades Darker, and Fifty Shades Freed.

Charlie Hunnam Has 1 Regret About Dropping Out of Fifty Shades Role

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Years later, in a 2015 interview with V Man, Hunnam looked back on his choice to exit the film series, describing it as "the most challenging time in my career." He expressed, "It was emotionally draining and tough to handle. It really broke my heart."

Hunnam faced a major dilemma when he landed a role in director Guillermo del Toro’s movie, Crimson Peak.

The British actor had promised del Toro over a year in advance that he would be in the film. Despite suggestions to take a different role with more time to spare, Hunnam stayed true to his word. He explained, "I can’t. He’s my friend, I’ve done a film with him, I gave him my word."

It was a tough decision for Hunnam to drop out of Fifty Shades, admitting that it was emotionally difficult for him. He values professionalism and keeping his word, so backing out of the project was not easy. Hunnam shared that he and director Sam Taylor-Johnson had emotional phone calls where they both ended up in tears.

He concluded that he needed to tell her that it was not going to work. There was a lot of personal stuff going on in his life that left him on real emotional shaky ground and mentally weak. He felt overwhelmed and was having panic attacks about the whole situation.

Editor's P/S:

Charlie Hunnam's decision to withdraw from the "Fifty Shades of Grey" franchise was undoubtedly a complex and challenging one. While he acknowledges the financial regrets that came with his choice, his priority remained with his commitment to the television show "Sons of Anarchy." Hunnam's unwavering loyalty to his word and his desire to honor his previous promise to Guillermo del Toro demonstrate his strong moral compass.

Despite the emotional turmoil and heartbreak he faced in leaving the film, Hunnam's decision ultimately speaks to his values and integrity. He recognized that his personal struggles and the demanding schedule of "Fifty Shades" would compromise his ability to fully commit to the role. This decision highlights the importance of prioritizing personal well-being and maintaining a strong sense of responsibility to both oneself and others.