NEW YORK -- NEW YORK (AP) — Charlie Hunnam is dropping out of the highly anticipated big-screen version of "Fifty Shades of Grey" just weeks after being cast as the lead, citing his busy schedule.


Universal Pictures and Focus Features announced Saturday that the actor who was to play Christian Grey will depart the project. The studio called it a mutual decision because Hunnam's preparation time was limited by his television schedule. He stars in the FX series "Sons of Anarchy."


It's an abrupt and embarrassing switch for a high-profile film. Fans of E L James' erotic best-seller are eagerly awaiting the movie adaptation, which will be directed by Sam Taylor-Johnson.


Dakota Johnson remains in the co-starring role of Anastasia Steele. A replacement will be sought for Hunnam, who last month said he initially turned down the role.


When his casting was announced in September, many vented online that the "Pacific Rim" actor was ill suited to play the seductive billionaire. Producers Dana Brunetti and Michael De Luca took to Twitter to defend the choice, maintaining their two leads had good chemistry together.


Representatives for Hunnam didn't immediately respond to a request for comment Saturday.


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Follow AP Film Writer Jake Coyle on Twitter at: http://twitter.com/jake_coyle




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  • 9. "Crash" (1996)


    James Spader and Deborah Unger made the most of his car's backseat in one memorable scene from this film. Domestic Gross: $2,038,450




  • 8. "The Dreamers" (2004) -


    A collective love of film leads Matthew, an American student (Michael Pitt) visiting Paris, into a love affair with twins Isabella (Eva Green) and Theo (Louis Garrel). A great deal of full frontal nudity and steamy love scenes follow their union. Domestic Gross: $2,532,228




  • 7. "Shame" (2011)


    Steve McQueen presented a film full of fast sex and a large amount of full frontal nudity, necessary additions to a film about a sex addict. Domestic Gross: $3,909,002




  • 6. "Tie Me Up, Tie Me Down" (1990)


    A mental hospital patient is released from prison and tracks down the love of his life, an actress who he once slept with and doesn't remember him at all. After she turns down his advances, he storms in her apartment, ties her up and attempts to convince her that she should be his wife. It's a fairly bizarre tale of bondage that might possibly lead to love. Domestic Gross: $4,087,361




  • 5. "Lust, Caution" (2007)


    Ang Lee's film contained several racy sex scenes between Tang Wei and Tony Leung, moments of passion Lee told the New York Times <a href="http://www.nytimes.com/2007/08/26/movies/26lim.html?_r=0">were critical to the film's story.</a> <blockquote>“They’re like the fight sequences in ‘Crouching Tiger.’ “It’s life and death. It’s where they really show their character," he said. "And it’s part of the plot, since it’s all about acting, levels of acting. You’re performing when you have sex.” </blockquote> Domestic Gross: $4,604,982




  • 4. "Bad Education" - 2004


    Pedro Almodovar's slightly autobiographical tale of sexual exploration includes a marathon number of characters played Gael García Bernal, a broken character seeking revenge on his childhood abuser. Domestic Gross: $5,211,842




  • 3. "The Cook, The Thief, His Wife and Her Lover" (1990)


    A pristine, dramatically lit bathroom was the setting for one of this film's early moments of passion, a steamy kiss between wife Georgina (Helen Mirren) and her lover Michael (Alan Howard). Domestic Gross: $7,724,701




  • 2. Henry & June (1990)


    Uma Thurman and Maria de Medeiros share a memorable smooch is this film about a housewife, Nin, looking to bring a little excitement into her life with the help of free spirited couple Henry Miller and his wife June, played by Thurman. Domestic Gross: $11,567,449




  • 1. "Showgirls" (1995)


    As the highest grossing NC-17 release, "Showgirls" maxed out on the sleaze in one of the most memorable Hollywood flops. Elizabeth Berkley and Kyle MacLachlan's romp in the pool was one of the film's more hilariously racy scenes. Domestic Gross: $20,350,754