Charlie Hunnam looking to ‘enter new chapter’ following 50 Shades of Grey exit
British actor Charlie Hunnam has cleared up the reason why he left his role as fictional sex-god Christian Gray.
Charlie announced his shock exit earlier this month but has remained tight-lipped as to why.
He announced he wanted to concentrate on other work opportunities and to ‘start a new chapter’ in his life.
Talking to E! News, he said: "I am doing good. I am just really concentrating on work. It's been a really busy time."
His father passed away last May and it’s believed that is what influenced his decision to leave the film.
"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," he said.
Universal Pictures claimed that Hunnam, who stars in ‘Sons of Anarchy’, left because his TV commitments conflicted with 50 Shades’ filming schedule.
"I just want to go on to a new chapter of life."
However, since winning the coveted role, Hunnam became spooked by the attention the film and he received and got cold feet.
When asked about his role in ‘Sons of Anarchy’ he said: "Like I said, I've got some family stuff I have to tend to. So when I wrap the show, I am going to go to England and see my people and then I have a film that I am doing with Guillermo [del Toro, who directed Hunnam in Pacific Rim]. So I am going to go and do that and concentrate on the final seasons of Sons."
"There's rumours that we might do a couple of more episodes and do a little bit of an extended season next year," he said. "So we will see if that happens. It may or it may not. But I just want to finish that strong and go on to a new chapter of life."
EL James, the author of ‘50 Shades of Grey’, tweeted: “I wish Charlie all the best. X”
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His replacement will be ‘finalised in the next couple of weeks’, and will star opposite Dakota Johnson, who will play Anastasia Steele.