Is Charlie Hunnam reconsidering ’50 Shades’ following casting backlash?

Here are some new photos of Charlie Hunnam on the Sons of Anarchy set yesterday and today. The paparazzi have been camped outside of the Sons of Anarchy set ever since Charlie Hunnam was named as Christian Grey in 50 Shades of Grey. They’re there every day it seems. Charlie is getting photographed a lot. And I’ve got to wonder… is he getting tired of it already? Last week, sources confirmed that Universal (the studio responsible for the 50 Shades adaptation) had hired extra security for Charlie on the red carpet premiere of Sons of Anarchy. It wouldn’t surprise me at all if Universal was also paying for extra security while Charlie is on the SoA set too.

Even if Charlie was and is surprised by his newfound status, I’ve got to think that this is exactly what he wanted, right? He didn’t take the Christian Grey role because he thought it was some intense, Shakespearean character worthy of his acting talents. He took the role because he wanted to be a movie star and he wanted the celebrity status. My point? Don’t believe the “reports” that Charlie is second-guessing his choice and considering pulling out of 50 Shades. He wants this.

Anyway, would you hit it while it was in coveralls? I have to say, the coveralls are NOT deterring me as much as you would think. He sort of looks like a sexy mechanic. Maybe that’s just me – I have a weird attraction to mechanics. They know how to work with their hands.

Photos courtesy of WENN, Fame/Flynet.

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83 Responses to “Is Charlie Hunnam reconsidering ’50 Shades’ following casting backlash?”

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  1. Tania says:

    I hate those bright, white tennis shoes he wears on the show. Ugh.

    • Jade says:

      I couldn’t agree more! I love Charlie and thinks he’s extremely sexy — but those white sneakers Jax wears — ugh!

      • Midnight says:

        What surprises me, as often as he gets on and off his bike, how clean his white tennis shoes remain.

    • Oneal says:

      I dont want CH to play that role in 50 Shades *altho CH isn’t modest he has several scenes in his movies were he has nude scenes/love scenes :)*, I been rewatching CH movies and watching some newer ones such as deadfall. I ♥ SoA and now that Jax is the President his white runners need to go! (I agree!)

    • alg says:

      I could not agree more. Are those legit biker shoes?? SO UGLY.
      Good thing he’s hot enough to overpower the shoes.

  2. the other Kate says:

    I had no interest in this movie, until I found out, he’s going to play Grey. And now, no matter how shitty this movie will be, I will watch it. He is extremely sexy.

    • Gigi says:

      +1

      So happy that I’m not the only one.. I will see that movie just because of him

      • Helen says:

        +2

        He is talented and hot and gorgeous and, yes, I read the 50 Shades books and I know they’re all s**t, but I will watch this movie just for him.

        Here I go again, sounding like a 16-year-old… lol.

      • the other Kate says:

        There’s at least 3 of us;) I told my sister yesterday, that she has to go with to see this movie, because I won’t go with my husband… She was like: Dafuq?! Until I told her, that Grey will be played by the same guy, who played Pete in Green Street Hooligans <3

      • Jordan says:

        Make it 4, lol! I had zero interest in this movie before he was cast. Never read the books either.

      • Helen says:

        Yes, Pete in Green Street Hooligans, same here. I haven’t even watched SoA yet but that role did it for me.

      • the other Kate says:

        And one thing is, that he is so sexy, but he also seems really funny. I was LOL watching this: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mjTrmIo14o4

      • Sook says:

        Is it just me or does anyone else get the tinglies when he says, “spank him with it!” Ohhhh Charlie, you can spank me anytime son!

      • the other Kate says:

        I got tinglies when he was talking about being wet and naked in the shower 😀 I mean: I want to break into his house, while he will be in the shower, that’s my new biggest dream 😉

      • Kate says:

        I never read the books but after finding out he got the role, I started watching SOA

    • Migdalia says:

      4! Sneaky move Universal.

    • Steph says:

      Go ahead girls. He’s all yours. My rabies shots aren’t up to date.

  3. zxcvbnm says:

    Oh please. He (and his agent) fought hard for that role. Just stop pretending. He’s loving all the attention he’s been getting.

    • Angel says:

      Agreed, he totally wants the “movie star” status… I just wish he didn’t, bc I think this role is going to taint him with cheapness forever. *Sigh* Oh Charlie…

      • Mata says:

        I agree. The books are shit and this movie will be shit. Elizabeth Berkeley thought her movie star career would be made with Showgirls. Instead, she became a joke and it took years for the stink to wear off. I’d hate that to happen to Charlie.

  4. Mimi says:

    He better appreciate it. Scott Eastwood is waiting in the wings. After seeing shirtless pictures of Scott, some fans want him in that role.

  5. Amelia says:

    I can’t even with 50 Shades.
    For the most part, I thought it was just badly written fanfic that’s cashing in on a tween phenomenon, but a lovely CB poster added this link a few days ago and after looking at a blogger’s analysis of it, some of their behaviour is . . . disturbing. And people actually want their significant others to behave like this?
    http://jenniferarmintrout.blogspot.co.uk/p/jen-reads-50-shades-of-grey.html?zx=fd12457d5567ed7b

    • Lindy79 says:

      The girl who runs the 50 Shades of Suck site has gotten lots of abuse for it from the crazy fans.

      Personally, I cried laughing reading some of her descriptions along with #irishshadesofgrey on twitter. I was given the book as a present before I got married last year with the “good bits” tabbed, and I still couldn’t be arsed to read it, I’ll stick with the various parodies.

    • Javagirl1 says:

      The funny reviews make these awful books worth while. Here’s my favorite:

      http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/340987215

    • Ange says:

      And Jenny Trout has written some really good BDSM themed books that are the antidote to 50SOG. They demonstrate much more positive attitudes and are frankly way hotter. They’re under her pen name Abigail Barnette I think and are called The Boss and The Girlfriend. I’ve read them and enjoyed them, BDSM isn’t my thing but the main characters just won me over!

  6. Kara says:

    I wanna do some filthy things to you, Jax Teller…

  7. Nicolette says:

    I don’t mind the coveralls at all, as I prefer the blue collar look to the suit and tie any day. He could wear a paper bag and I’d still hit it.

  8. Dawn says:

    I don’t have an issue with Charlie playing anyone in any movie. I think he is a wonderful actor but then I am an SOA die hard. But I do believe that the material in 50 Shades is simply beneath his talent level. That’s all.

  9. Londerland says:

    I suppose the real question is, what else is open to him? If this is the only major film role he’s been offered, maybe he’s happy to risk his reputation for a bite at the cherry (so to speak…). I don’t watch the show so I don’t know if he’s any good an actor, but if he’s not exactly Olivier, he may as well take the money and run.

    He could end up the next Robert Pattinson, if he’s lucky – moving from a godawful cheesy franchise to Cronenberg. Or maybe the film will end up unexpectedly better than people think…

    Or he could end up the next Elizabeth Berkley, grinding his way through a laughable movie with his Serious Thesp head on, poor lamb.

    • CaribbeanLaura says:

      Actually he’s in that guillermo(sp?) del toro ghost flick with Jessica Chastain and hiddles next year, I think he’s getting offered parts, but he wants to be a MOVIE STAR hence the 50 shades choice. I haven’t read the book cause it really seems like it’ll make me put an eye out (and I actually like trashy books)so I have no real investment in this but I do think that he is hott as @*!k

      • Londerland says:

        I haven’t read the books either but I just got through reading one of the snark reviews posted upthread, and good God, if done right then could have a comedy classic for the ages. 😄

  10. Becky says:

    I LOVE the coveralls!

  11. gg says:

    I predict shortly after its release, this movie will bomb and be tossed into the pile with ‘Showgirls’.

  12. annabelle says:

    I could have sworn I was wearing panties. But Charlie makes ’em disappear, every time.

  13. Thea says:

    He will make a great Christian.

  14. Mia 4S says:

    There was ZERO reason to take the role except a shot at movie stardom so shut up and smile Charlie. 😉 I am not sure it will be quite what he wants though as it’s not going to be a ticket to prestige pics certainly. Maybe another summer blockbuster? Still it may be his best shot as he’s another TV actor looking to break out in a very crowded age group. He doesn’t have much mainstream popularity and he doesn’t have the same acclaim and accolades as someone like say, Aaron Paul. So yeah from a certain point of view it was the right way to go.

  15. Dia says:

    I think he knew exactly what he was getting himself into. SOA will be ending next year and he has said in many interviews that he needed to plan for when SOA ends. He wants to be a big star. Why else would he do this movie? Is the dialog of the 50 books beneath his acting? Absolutely. But now mainstream knows his name not just SOA fans.

  16. Miss M says:

    So many b*tches to shank, so little time…

    • Marty says:

      I’ll help…just help though. He’s gotten less hot to me since he took this role, but if you need backup, I’m here:)

      • Miss M says:

        @Marty: Thank you for being such a loyal friend!!!!
        Yes, he lost a bit of space in my heart, which Tom Hardy was glad to get back! 🙂

        ps: I want to believe he has regretted a bit. Hence, this whole “reconsidering” thing.

      • Marty says:

        Don’t get me started on Tom Hardy, I don’t want to drown you in drool!

  17. Tig says:

    It always makes me laugh when folks say he’s too good for this, etc. HE doesn’t think he’s too good for it obviously. I think the buzz on this has seriously died, and the casting didn’t help. I think he’s miscast as CG. Think it’s a bit curious no other casting decisions have been announced.

  18. Saffie says:

    No offense meant to him but I think this movie is going straight to DVD. I can’t imagine they’ll get a decent script out of that book and even if they did, his character seems completely miscast as does the female lead. If he wanted to break into film, probably would have better for him to take a supporting role in another film.

  19. Penelope says:

    I haven’t read any of the shades stuff so not sure if he’s a good choice for the role but I do find him very, very, cute & sexy.

  20. Holden says:

    I hope he backs out, don’t do that Twilight for mommies sh*t.

  21. booboobird says:

    oy Charlie, you a fine, fine specimen.i’ll take you any time and any way.
    “I gaze into his gazing gaze gazingly like a gazelle gazing into another gazelle’s gazing gaze….”
    “…he takes control of the controller like the controlling man he is.”
    /’50 shames of earl grey’.also a waste of time, albeit a bit more entertaining. BDSM (bards,dragons,sorcery and magick) was funny though/

  22. Jenna says:

    *sigh* F@CKING JAX!!! Sorry. He’s just making me so angry this season.

    Still won’t watch the movie though.

  23. Dommy Dearest says:

    Oh I would hit it over and over!
    I had the biggest crush on him after he did the movie ‘abandoned’ with Katie Holmes back in the 2000s. At least I think that was the title

  24. Stephanie says:

    I would not hit it and I do not think he’s sexy. I always imagine Christian Gray to be more like Cillian Murphy. Especially in that scene in the book where he buys the coveralls, zip ties and garbage bags or whatever. Lol.

  25. EscapedConvent says:

    Charlie doesn’t look that happy in these pics. Maybe all the attention for something so insipid will wear off quickly?

  26. kk2 says:

    I love the way he walks. You need to see this man in motion to appreciate his sexiness.

    Nothing, not even the hotness of charlie hunnam, could make me watch 50 shades.

  27. Luna says:

    Wow he looks bad enough here. I wonder how does he look with his beard gone and hair short and in a perfect-fitting tux?

  28. Denise says:

    I just can’t see hotness, it’s all too Spencer Pratt to me, but maybe I have to see him in action to appreciate the appeal. I’ll have to find the show here in the UK and see what the hype is all about.

  29. Anon says:

    Everyone that says this movie will go straight to DVD, politely take a seat. We all knew twilight was cheesy, but it was a hit because of its popularity. Same thing will happen with fifty shades. Everyone woman I spotted on the train had this book. Not too many people know charlie, but not too many knew r. Patterson now look at him he’s a star. One good thing about Charlie is that he’ll go far after because unlike Robert Patterson he has talent.

  30. Delorb says:

    Nope. Would NEVER hit that in a million years.

  31. Aud says:

    I still don’t see how starring in a film version of, perhaps one of the worst books ever written, will elevate him to A-list film star.
    The number of sales of 50 Shades is proof that feminism failed.

  32. RHONYC says:

    god he’s so dirty/hot.! i wanna take him in that janitor’s outfit & lock him up with me in the school’s maintenance closet for a few hours. Grrrrrrrr. 😛

  33. Rose Greenway says:

    Is he going to lose weight, dye/cut his hair have shave and plastic surgery before filming begins? At the moment he looks more like CG’s rough mechanic than CG. If he had sense he’d run a mile from this farce.But hey he took the role so I guess common sense isn’t his or Dakota Johnson’s strong points or they would realize how out of their depth/miscast they are.

  34. TJF says:

    I have heard of ‘Gray” and have never read the book or had any interest in it. But if HE is in it, oh yeah, I will definitely see it.

    I am a BIG fan of SOA and Charlie Hunnam.

    I have a feeling, if they do even a HALF decent job, this will do for Charlie what 9 1/2 Weeks did for Mickey Rourke in the ’80’s….he became the sex symbol of the decade.

  35. Maybe he is having second thoughts about 50 shades because he finally got around to reading it and has come to the realisation that it is a few volumes worth of dubiously-written mommy porn. That said, I would totally hit that. If only to get to undo the long zip on the coveralls.

  36. lorinnb says:

    I cannot believe some of the comments that women make in these articles. That is one of the reasons I would not see the movie in a theater. Don’t think this article is really true. I think he will do the movie even though it might not be the right choice.

  37. lorinnb says:

    I cannot believe some of the comments that women make in these articles. That is one of the reasons I would not see the movie in a theater. Don’t think this article about Charlie not doing the movie is really true. I think he will do the movie even though it might not be the right choice.

  38. Veronica says:

    The backlash that he is getting I am sure is only another reason to do this. Yes, as a 50 shades fan I do not believe that he is the perfect fit for the Christian Grey role, but ding ding ding that right there is the reason for him to do the film. By having so many 50 shades fans putting him down for not fitting the role that would be his motivation to show the world of 50 shades that they are incorrect. I would love to see him prove all of us doubters wrong. And why wouldn’t he want to do the film?? The film will bring in alot of money because of the major fan base ! Prove us wrong Charlie!

  39. Jessica says:

    I don’t believe Charlie is regretting the choice of being Mr. Grey. I think he’s just going to have to get use to all the attention he is getting now. I mean Sons of Anarchy is a great show and I’m sure many people watch it but 50 Shades went viral and everyone knows what this book series is about. I think he will do an amazing job because he’s an INCREDIBLE actor and can play any character. Once he gets that Mr. Grey makeover he’ll be just perfect!