"Fifty Shades of Grey" found its new leading man: Irish actor Jamie Dornan.
Dornan is set to replace Charlie Hunnam, who dropped out of the role of Christian Grey earlier this month, according to The Hollywood Reporter. The gossip site reported, negotiations to finalize a deal are underway.
Dornan did a screen test on Friday with actor Billy Magnussen. A representative for Dornan said in an email "It is our company policy not to comment on speculative stories."
Dornan was considered to be the frontrunner to replace Hunnam after he auditioned on Oct. 18. Dakota Johnson will co-star as Anastasia Steele in the film to be directed by Sam Taylor-Johnson.
"He had a really good read," said a source, noting that the studio wasn't "worried" about Dornan's chemistry with co-star Johnson. "They think she could handle whoever the guy is."
Dornan is filling the patent leather boots of Hunnam, who was originally cast over the summer but withdrew from the project reportedly because he was spooked by the attentions of rabid fans.
"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," Hunnam told E! News.
Universal Pictures and Focus Features, the studios behind the movie, issued a statement at the time saying that the "Sons of Anarchy" star had to leave the project "given Hunnam's immersive TV schedule which is not allowing him time to adequately prepare for the role of Christian Grey."
Dornan, a former Calvin Klein model who once dated Keira Knightley, has appeared in films such as Sofia Coppola's 2006 film "Marie Antoinette". He's also had a recurring role on the TV series "Once Upon a Time" as Sheriff Graham/The Huntsman.
According to The Hollywood Reporter, the film is expected to begin production in November. The movie version of E L James' steamy bestseller will hit the big screen on Aug. 1, 2014.
Celebrities took to social media to weigh in on Dornan's new role.
I'm a monstrous @JamieDornan1 fan. Wasn't allowed to be attracted to him on The Fall bc he played a sexmurderer. 50 Shades is my big chance! — Lena Dunham (@lenadunham) October 24, 2013
Elizabeth Banks Instagrammed a picture of all three Fifty Shades of Grey books and captioned "I've had a crush on Jamie Dornan for a decade!"
Congrats to the sweetest person/scariest actor I know, @JamieDornan1 !!!! #50ShadesOfGrey just got real. So fu$!in psyched. #blameIreland — Kate Mara (@_KateMara) October 24, 2013
I think that Jamie Dornan is the perfect choice to play Christian Grey in FIFTY SHADES OF GREY. Smartest casting decision in a long time. — Bret Easton Ellis (@BretEastonEllis) October 24, 2013
Is Jamie Dornan a good choice to portray Christian Grey?
