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Actor Charlie Hunnam teases ‘50 Shades of Grey’ fans, saying he and Dakota Johnson have undeniable chemistry.
The gag has come off.
Charlie Hunnam broke his silence over the weekend over the backlash whipped up by his casting in the big screen adaptation of “Fifty Shades of Grey.” Vocal fans of E.L. James’ S&M-themed trilogy have taken to the Internet to express their outrage over the casting of the “Sons of Anarchy” star and unheralded Dakota Johnson in the lead roles — after months of rumors involving bigger Hollywood names.
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"As soon as we got in the room and started reading with Dakota, I knew that I definitely wanted to do it, because there was a tangible chemistry between us," the British actor told The Hollywood Reporter at the premiere for the sixth season of “Sons of Anarchy.”
“It felt kind of exciting and fun and weird and compelling, and so that was it."
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Hunnam also downplayed any worries about the explicit sexual material in the story in store for billionaire Christian Grey, which will have the actor wearing considerably less than the combat armor from his last movie, “Pacific Rim.”
“My first job was on a Channel 4 miniseries called 'Queer as Folk.' It was incredibly explicit sexual scenes with a man," Hunnam told the Hollywood Reporter. "I mean I'm 16 and 17 years wiser now. So if I could do it when I was 18 with a guy, I can certainly do it at 33 with a lady."
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Hunnam added that an Aug. 23 talk with director Sam Taylor-Johnson sold him on the role.
Plus it helps that his girlfriend — jewelry designer Morgana McNelis — is a huge fan of the books, he said.
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Hunnam landed the part after it was reportedly turned down by both “Tron” actor Garrett Hedlund and Ryan Gosling. Novelist Bret Easton Ellis, who is not affiliated with the movie, claimed James told him Robert Pattinson was her first choice for the role.
Lead actress Johnson may be the daughter of actors Melanie Griffith and Don Johnson, but her biggest credit to date has been the Fox sitcom, “Ben and Kate.” Fans took to Twitter and message boards to make clear their preference for actresses like Alexis Bledel, Elizabeth Olson or Shailene Woodley to play the part of Anastasia Steele.
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“To all the supporters, lovers and haters — thank you so much for the passion that you have for this project. You all rock. All of you,” James tweeted to her fans.
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