Fifty Shades Of Phwoar! Irish hunk Jamie Dornan leads list of contenders to star as Christian Grey... as screenwriter Patrick Marber joins movie

By Sophia Charalambous and Juliet Paylor

PUBLISHED: 19:07 EST, 14 October 2013 | UPDATED: 19:07 EST, 14 October 2013


Ladies, you can breathe a sigh of relief - there's a hot new contender to play Christian Grey in the Fifty Shades Of Grey movie.

Irish hunk Jamie Dornan has reportedly caught the eye of casting directors following Charlie Hunnam's departure from the adaptation of the immensely popular novels by EL James... and it's not hard to see why.

The former Calvin Klein underwear model, who has appeared in Once Upon A Time and can now be seen in BBC crime drama The Fall, is certainly used to getting his kit off for the cameras, having posed near-naked in campaigns with Kate Moss and Eva Mendes.

You're welcome, ladies! Jamie Dornan, a former Calvin Klein underwear model and actor, is the latest smoking hot contender to be up for the role of Christian Grey in the Fifty Shades Of Grey film adaptation

You're welcome, ladies! Jamie Dornan, a former Calvin Klein underwear model and actor, is the latest smoking hot contender to be up for the role of Christian Grey in the Fifty Shades Of Grey film adaptation

Hot property: The 31-year-old hunk has modelled with the likes of Eva Mendes (pictured) and Kate Moss and certainly has the body for the role

Hot property: The 31-year-old hunk has modelled with the likes of Eva Mendes (pictured) and Kate Moss and certainly has the body for the role

The 5ft 11in 31-year-old hunk has fast shot to the top of the list of possible new leads, though Matt Bomer, Alexander Skarsgard, Theo James and Christian Cooke are also still being considered.

Other names floating about are Cillian Murphy, Ian Somerhalder and Alex Pettyfer, while Robert Pattinson was said to be the author's top pick from day one.

Ryan Gosling has also been in the mix since the beginning, though he and Pattinson are thought to be too A-list to go for the role.

Two for one: While we certainly prefer him with his clothes off, the star can also carry off a suit, making him the perfect candidate for the role
Two for one: While we certainly prefer him with his clothes off, the star can also carry off a suit, making him the perfect candidate for the role

Two for one: While we certainly prefer him with his clothes off, the star can also carry off a suit, making him the perfect candidate for the role

Eye candy: The Irish former Once Upon A Time actor is now starring in the BBC's The Fall, which could possibly cause a scheduling conflict as Sons Of Anarchy did with original lead Charlie Hunnam

Eye candy: The Irish former Once Upon A Time actor is now starring in the BBC's The Fall, which could possibly cause a scheduling conflict as Sons Of Anarchy did with original lead Charlie Hunnam

While the official line given by movie execs was that Sons Of Anarchy star Hunnam pulled out due to his 'immersive TV schedule', according to reports doing the rounds, the shy actor was fearful of the amount of attention the role has already garnered.

'He dropped out of the project because he didn't want to be typecast. He didn't want the Robert Pattinson-esque attention that would come along with taking on this role,' a source tells People magazine.

A source also confirmed to E! News that Hunnam's decision to opt out wasn't 'a surprise', adding, 'What he was taking on with this role was not what Charlie wants in his future career. The attention and the pressure was intense.'

'More than anything, he hates attention, and being in Fifty Shades Of Grey would force him to do lots of media.

Fan favourite: Matt Bomer is the top pick to play the lead, according to bookies, while fans of the White Collar star were furious when he was overlooked in favour of Charlie

Fan favourite: Matt Bomer is the top pick to play the lead, according to bookies, while fans of the White Collar star were furious when he was overlooked in favour of Charlie

Also in the running: Cillian Murphy's name has also reportedly been thrown into the ring

Also in the running: Cillian Murphy's name has also reportedly been thrown into the ring

'That's really not his thing. Charlie doesn't want to be massively famous. Plus, he hates conforming and being told what to do. This role would force him to have to be something he is not.'

While the casting of the male lead to play opposite Dakota Johnson's Anastasia Steele may still be up in the air, the adaptation is one step closer to beginning production now that a screenwriter has been hired.

Oscar-nominated Patrick Marber was announced on Friday as being the one to 'do a polish and character work on the script', according to The Hollywood Reporter, with filming anticipated to begin as soon as November.

The announcement of Hunnam's original casting caused a backlash by fans, who wanted Matt Bomer cast instead, so it's little wonder there hasn't been too much sadness at his departure, which was made official on Saturday.

Rumoured for the role: Alexander Skarsgard, Ian Somerhalder and Alex Pettyfer (from left) have also all been tipped to star as Christian Grey
Rumoured for the role: Alexander Skarsgard, Ian Somerhalder and Alex Pettyfer (from left) have also all been tipped to star as Christian Grey
Rumoured for the role: Alexander Skarsgard, Ian Somerhalder and Alex Pettyfer (from left) have also all been tipped to star as Christian Grey

Rumoured for the role: Alexander Skarsgard, Ian Somerhalder and Alex Pettyfer (from left) have also all been tipped to star as Christian Grey

While Bomer's name is still very much in the running, according to The Wrap, chemistry played possibly the biggest part in choosing the castmembers.

Producer Dana Brunetti commented at the time, tweeting: 'There is a lot that goes into casting that isn't just looks.

'Talent, availability, their desire to do it, chemistry with other actor, etc.

'So if your favorite wasn't cast, then it is most likely due to something on that list. Keep that in mind while hating and keep perspective.'

Dropped out: Charlie Hunnam will no longer be starring in the film due to his 'immersive TV schedule'

Dropped out: Charlie Hunnam will no longer be starring in the film due to his 'immersive TV schedule'

But a joint statement obtained by E! News from Universal Pictures and Focus Features read: 'The filmmakers of Fifty Shades Of Grey and Charlie Hunnam have agreed to find another male lead given Hunnam's immersive TV schedule, which is not allowing him time to adequately prepare for the role of Christian Grey.'

EL James also confirmed the news on Twitter, writing: ‘I wish Charlie all the best.’

But while the production companies have yet to reveal if they've chosen another actor, author Bret Easton Ellis told E! News last month that Robert Pattinson was the Fifty Shades author's 'first choice'.

The highly-anticipated movie adaptation will be released on August 1, 2014 in the US.

Contenders? According to E! News, Robert Pattinson (left) was author EL James's first choice, while apparently Ryan Gosling's (right) name has also been added to the mix, though it's thought both are too A-list for the role
Contenders? According to E! News, Robert Pattinson (left) was author EL James's first choice, while apparently Ryan Gosling's (right) name has also been added to the mix, though it's thought both are too A-list for the role

Contenders? According to E! News, Robert Pattinson (left) was author EL James's first choice, while apparently Ryan Gosling's (right) name has also been added to the mix, though it's thought both are too A-list for the role


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Oh please let it be Rob! Oh how I love Rob

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Matt Bomer is Christian Grey

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Woah

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I have no desire to read the book but if he is in the film I think I will watch! I couldn't help but drool in ' the fall' even though he was a serial killer. Mmmm

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Pretty as he is, this guy looks to old to play Christian. And Christian has copper hair!

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Robert Pattinson looks completely out of his depth amongst that gorgeous lot.

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I approve.

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He's gorgeous! I could buy him as Christian!

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Yes, please

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Can I have all them? One for Monday, one for Tuesday and so on? I promise they will be well taken care of.

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