Charlie Hunnam was set to play the lead role of Christian Grey in the upcoming film, Fifty Shades of Grey, but has since backed out. He made the announcement today that he would not follow through with the role, citing his busy television schedule as the main conflict of interest. Hunnam is currently the star of the FX series, Sons of Anarchy, which would cause complications with the filming of the new movie.

Sons of Anarchy is currently in its sixth season and will be shooting the season finale beginning on October 11, one day before the announcement from the studios came. The studios behind the film, Universal Pictures and Focus Features, made a statement regarding Hunnam’s casting when saying “The filmmakers of Fifty Shades of Grey and Charlie Hunnam have agreed to find another male lead given Hunnam’s immerse TV schedule which is not allowing him time to adequately prepare for the role of Christian Grey.”

According to US Weekly, Hunnam has never been a favorite for the role, and a petition was even drawn up after the casting occurred, as fans quickly demanded that Matt Bomer replace him. Dakota Johnson has been cast as the female lead in the film.

#MattBomerForGrey News: "Charlie Hunnam won't be Christian Grey anymore. The cast has been reopened" Me: pic.twitter.com/olYbAWwGq1

— Hey, Comrade (@SinsajoSetFire) October 13, 2013

Yes yes yes Charlie Hunnam is not going to be Christian Grey anymore! PICK MATT BOMER!!!

— things in life (@ItsThingsInLife) October 12, 2013

Fifty Shades of Grey was also a very popular book, and the casting of Charlie Hunnam originally puzzled many people. Women all over went crazy for the book, and it seemed to be almost as big as Twilight at one point. They seemed to want an actor who they were more familiar with, or someone thought of as more traditionally sexy. The film is based on E.L. James’ erotic novel about an inexperienced college student named Anastasia Steele, who is given a bit of a sexual education from billionaire Christian Grey.

He admitted to knowing that he would not have been the popular choice for the role in a recent cover story in Entertainment Weekly when he said “There are so many fans of that book and I know that on the surface, I’m probably not what everybody imagined.”

"Charlie Hunnam 'Pulls Out' of Fifty Shades Movie" is a real headline. Who wrote that, Rita Skeeter?

— The Dark Lord (@Lord_Voldemort7) October 12, 2013

So what do others think about the decision? Any idea who should replace Hunnam? Weigh in with your opinions in the comments below.

Charlie Hunnam has been a fan favorite on the hit show Sons of Anarchy, but way before that he played the charming Lloyd on Judd Apatow’s short-lived series Undeclared. He has also been seen in several films including Children of Men and Pacific Rim. With Hunnam out, fans of the book will certainly have a fun time speculating on his replacement. Let’s just hope for their sake, that they get a better choice the next time around. The film will be released on August 1st, 2014.

Charlie Hunnam, former lead of 50 Shades of Grey, is the latest change at Universal/Focus. Anyone believe that he exited b/c of scheduling?

— David Poland (@DavidPoland) October 12, 2013

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