Charlie Hunnam: Leaving ‘Fifty Shades’ was ‘very, very painful for me’

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Nothing pleases more than the fact that I get to use these gorgeous Charlie Hunnam photos two days in a row. Yesterday, I covered Charlie’s Entertainment Weekly cover shoot, which serves as a preview for Guy Ritchie’s King Arthur movie. I also covered Guy and Charlie’s quotes about the movie, obviously, because that was the whole point of the cover story. Except that EW made Charlie talk about Fifty Shades of Grey AGAIN. Seriously, Charlie has spent the last year talking about why he left FSOG and what his thought process was and all of that. Why are we still talking about it? And why does it feel like Charlie is being made to feel like he “should” be sorry about it? Some assorted quotes from Charlie:

His exit from FSOG is still painful: “It was very, very painful for me, that whole process, just very unpleasant. I felt like I let myself down. I let those people down on Fifty Shades that I’d grown to really love and respect. It’s just a really unpleasant period of time for me.”

He seriously quit FSOG because of the workload: He says he had “big personal stuff going on in my life… For the first time in my life, [I] had more work than I had time to do it. It’s very hard to be disciplined in that situation and understand what is going to be required to all of that work to the best of your ability and have yourself surrounded by people. You see it all the time in Hollywood. There’s a tendency to make hay while the sun shines and to capitalize on every second once somebody gets hot and people just get burnt out. That’s what I started to do.”

He’s not focused on the past FSOG drama: “It’s not in my mind very much. I do try not to dwell on the past too much because I have a tendency to do that, and as I’ve gotten older, I’ve gotten very good at distancing myself from shoulda, woulda, coulda.”

[From Entertainment Weekly]

While I’ll use any excuse to write about Hunnam and I think “dropping out of FSOG” is the main reason many people know him, I think people should stop asking him about it. The Fifty Shades questions have been asked and answered (with a great deal of grace) time and time again. And I will cuddle with him so he doesn’t feel the “pain” of his decision to drop out. He’s so sensitive! He needs a good cuddle. And then a good dirty bang. And then another cuddle.

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Photos courtesy of Marc Hom/Entertainment Weekly.

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103 Responses to “Charlie Hunnam: Leaving ‘Fifty Shades’ was ‘very, very painful for me’”

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  1. Tiffany27 says:

    Bae, you are stupid gorgeous and sexy as fu*k and you’re playing King Arthur in a Guy Ritchie film. Stop talking about FSOG. They needed you, you didn’t need them.

    *returns to marveling at that face and body*

    • Hawkeye says:

      Exactly! Fifty Shades of Grey was also filmed, the movie was made without Tiffany27’s bae, so it’s not as though his lack of participation killed the project. Agree with Kaiser that he shouldn’t be asked about it anymore.

      • Bridget says:

        They just want someone to finally explicitely say that they left because EL James was awful. Kelly Marcel, Sam T-J, Charlie – everyone knows why they left, but if they actually gave a really quote it would be huge for whatever outlet gave it. At least he’s a good sport about being asked about it again and again.

        Whoever photographed Charlie deserves a big thumbs up for getting him to put his chin down. He’s so handsome, but doesn’t always photograph well.

      • BrandyAlexander says:

        I listened to a podcast that was interviewing the screenwriter and she basically confirmed that when he agreed, the script was different. Then E.L. James made them change it to more accurately reflect the book, and thats when he dropped out. She also said Charlie has written scripts himself so he had really good notes, but E.L. James wouldn’t listen to anyone. He was really smart to drop out of that.

      • Bridget says:

        The original was Kelly Marcel – Patrick Marber written. I can absolutely see why Charlie would have signed on.

    • meme says:

      I swoon over him. Charlie makes me weak in the knees. Oh the things I would do to him.

      And YES, stop asking him about this stupid FSOG crap. Charlie would have burned a hole in the screen but he dodged that bullet.

  2. Kiddo says:

    Naughty naughty boy deserves a spanking for that, lol.

    • GrnMtGirl says:

      Then. A good dirty bang!!

    • Kitten says:

      Seriously, why won’t he shut up and show us his butt already????

      Also, where is Mark? I expect him to accuse me of double-standards at any second…

    • Tiffany :) says:

      I wanna lick him like an ice cream cone.

      I love the twinkle in his eye. So hot!

  3. Dvaria says:

    I think he would have done a better job than Jamie Dornan, who seemed embarassed of even being there the entire movie, but theres only so much you can work with when the script is that terrible.

    • mom2two says:

      Charlie is gorgeous and I think he would have been better than Jamie as well. But I do agree, time to stop asking him about it…he’s talked about his decision repeatedly at this point. I think it was a good decision for him to not be a part of that mess. I think his regret is the thought that people might see him as flaky or unprofessional.

      This EW photoshoot is stunning. I wish EW would do more photoshoots like this.

    • xmas in july says:

      Jamie Dornan’s performance was so painful. For selfish reasons (that body! that face!), I wish Charlie had stuck with it…but dropping out was probably the best thing he could have done professionally. 50 Shades is a trainwreck of terrible.

      • qwerty says:

        mte, would’ve watched it for his ass but I’m happy he backed out. You can see his ass in Sons of Anarchy too and it’s actually quality tv.

      • bluhare says:

        Charlie’s ass is most definitely quality TV. I think he looks like the love child of Brad Pitt and Channing Tatum.

      • qwerty says:

        Neither of the two does it for me, so… no.

      • FLORC says:

        It’s os weird he doesn’t do it for me either. The ears maybe? Hmm…. IDK..

  4. Goats on the Roof says:

    Hello, beautiful.

    That’s all I’ve got.

  5. Heat says:

    People need to stop asking him about this.
    I, for one, am very glad that he didn’t make that poor career choice.

    • JWQ says:

      Same. He has said what he had to say about this a couple of times too many. Just stop asking, and he should go “I have answered already!”, too.

      Everyone linked to that movie was going to get some level of mocking, personally and professionally, big time. How he, and anyone involved, couldn’ t see it coming, or didn’ t care about it, is a mystery to me!

    • cici says:

      His publicist can always tell the interviewers in advance that he doesn’t want to talk about it anymore.

  6. InvaderTak says:

    TALK ABOUT CRIMSON PEAK YOU FOOL. I don’t care what they ask him. Talk about something you actually did work on!

    • Lilacflowers says:

      Yes! Please! Talk about Crimson Peak! Start talking about it now!

    • Div says:

      Yeah, the more media savvy stars would turn it around to talk about Crimson Peak or his upcoming films…Isn’t he doing Pacific RIm 2?

      • Sea Dragon says:

        You’re so right. He’s allowing them to control the discussion. He has more to learn. I hope he’s gets it soon. It can make the difference between being an IT guy and having a career until he’s wrinkly and charming.

    • Sullivan says:

      Hear! Hear!

    • JFresh says:

      Good point

  7. lisa2 says:

    He really should just shut down the questions about FSOG.. probably the smartest move he made. But when he goes on and on talking about it being some lost opportunity; I question his decision making. And for his not dwelling on it.. that Q&A has 3 different replies to that movie.. FSOG is not The GodFather or some other classic. It is a cheesy movie. He is acting like it was the greatest movie ever made.

    His talking about it like this is not doing him any favors.. and I don’t care if he was asked about. He could have shut it down in one sentence.. not 3 paragraphs. And just like the last time he was promoting something.. he is asked about it because he shows such a willingness to talk about it.

    • Cali says:

      I think he’s just a nice guy and doesn’t want be all diva with demands of not asking about the FSOG. The reporters are probably made to ask him because the sites/magazines need to be able to get more quotes/stories pushed out with a FSOG angle, assuming that the public wants to hear more, more, more. Poor guy. He’s going to be plagued with this for a while to come.

  8. Div says:

    He needs his publicist to coach him on how to change the subject when journalists keep bringing up 50 Shades.

  9. Mia4S says:

    This has been my point about this. Yes a lot of people watched Sons of Anarchy….but not that many (it’s not NCIS). He’s being defined in the mainstream by how supposedly terrible it was that he had to leave the 50 Shades movie (when most of us here know it’s the best thing that could have happened).

    His people need to change the narrative. Maybe that will require a hit movie to do because his leverage is limited at the moment; but it’s ridiculous to see a very solid actor being defined as the guy who was almost in 50 Shades.

    • Tig says:

      Say what you will, but NO ONE ruminates like this unless on some level there is regret. He says he’s gotten better at getting over “shoulda, woulda, coulda”- wouldn’t know it by this interview. And seriously, after a year he hasn’t learned how to shut it down? He’s talking like this bec he wants to, for some reason. It’s pretty strange.

      • Mia4S says:

        That’s a good point. I mean I can imagine his agents/manager are pretty pissed at him, considering they could have made a fortune from the sequels. Also the theory that he worries it made him look unprofessional is a fair one.

      • lucy2 says:

        Although every time he mentions it, it makes headlines. He’s promoting other work, maybe part of it is him trying to draw more attention to himself and that?

      • Bridget says:

        I think he was legitimately disappointed about missing out on working with Sam Taylor-Wood, as well Marcel & Marber’s script.

      • Jessica says:

        He’s a talented actor, but he realizes talking about FSOG will create more headlines.

  10. Ankhel says:

    Translation: When I managed to avoid that ghastly mess, I smiled so big my cheeks nearly split. Ow!

    • Nibbi says:

      hahaha !! this. i feel like he’s being nice and playing good politics saying all that when in reality he kinda dodged a bullet with that crappy film. sure it made a heck of a lot of money and a sequel is in the works, but i really wonder about both actors’ future careers coming out of that one… they just sucked, chemistry was beyond flat, and it’s sorta hard to tell if it’s their fault or the screenplay’s or both or what. the king arthur flick looks like a waaaaay smarter career move, the focus is more on him, etc.
      but whatever, holy damn he looks hot.

  11. Kiki says:

    Charlie Hunam, i am in love with you. I would know you would do a better job in FSOG that the both of these actors in the movies. And I would love to see you in you bits whenever I could if you want in any movies. But Charle, don’t cry about turning it down but be greatful that you did. There are going to be more erotic movies to come soon and if ther is a chance you will get then. Besides I saw th FSOG and that movie is a bunch of crap. And yes it did do well in the box office but I rather watch 9 and a half weeks than this crap.

    • GrnMtGirl says:

      I can’t help but feel, that his being in the movie would have made it soooo much better!! That said… I’m holding out for the next big erotic film that does include him. It’s going to be so hot!

    • meme says:

      Well, if you’re going to be in love with MY imaginary husband, you should spell his name right – HUNNAM LOL

      • Kiki says:

        Why I am so sorry @meme, my typo is very illegible these day, but I will make a deal with you, if you will forgive me with the typo and you and I will have a three way with Charlie Hunnam. DEAL. LOL.

  12. Crumpet says:

    How is it that this man looks so delicious covered in grease and dirt? *shiver*

    • Kiddo says:

      Some look better that way, doncha think?

      • Alice says:

        Mmmm, yeah.

      • Crumpet says:

        Indeed. I am plotting to waylay Mr. Crumpet with motor oil this very evening.

      • Alice says:

        Note to Moderator: why was the above comment(mmmm, yeah) moderated? Why was #17 on the Taylor/Nicki dust up moderated? I am the most vanilla custard of commenters – you don’t have to fear me.
        PS I’m the OLD Alice, not the new one who showed up recently.

      • Kaiser says:

        Alice, sometimes comments are randomly moderated, sometimes certain words are triggers, so I don’t know. We try to release moderated comments as quickly as possible.

      • Kiddo says:

        Alice, under both names, I saw you on the ‘no fly list’ at the airport. Just kiddin’.
        OR AM I?

      • Alice says:

        Kaiser, thanks for the response and Kiddo, you may be right – that may be why I haven’t flown since ’95.

      • bluhare says:

        There’s nothing like a dirty, dirty boy. Le sigh.

        PS Alice don’t feel bad. I’m on permanent moderation. It’s like a permanent vacation only different!

  13. Lindy79 says:

    I’m putting my Psyche 101 hat on here but I think the reason he still feels compelled to talk about it when asked is because he’s genuinely worried it made him look unprofessional, dropping out so last minute.

    We can all agree it was the better career choice but fact is it was always a joke, he took the job then dropped out when filming was just about to start and it did look like a reaction to the backlash and the mockery. The Biz is fickle so he’s probably still even now concerned that people will think twice about hiring him in case he does it again. That’s why he goes over the top and gushy when speaking about it.

    Just my two cents.

  14. Mimi says:

    Charlie, sweetie… Let me assure you that it would have been infinitely more painful if you hadn’t dropped out of that horrendous crap fest.

  15. Kaye says:

    I’m not attracted to blond men at all, but I did make an exception for Alexander Skarsgard.

    Now I’m thinking I may add Charlie to the exception list as well, although I wish I’d never read the phrase “flesh beard.” That’s a hard mental image to erase.

    • Betti says:

      I agree with the blonde thing – never really done it for me. My exceptions are Charlie, Daniel Craig and the guy from Vikings but he and Charlie have to have the facial hair and look like they’ve just spent the day in the garden.

      I’ll go take a cold shower now.

    • Sea Dragon says:

      Kaye, Betti, I hear ya. He’s the only blonde I’ve been attracted to in many years. *swoons*

  16. MediaMaven says:

    “Hello, Gorgeous” (in my best Barbra Streisand accent).

  17. funcakes says:

    I think he really dodged a bullet, career wise, with FSG.
    He’s capable of so much more as an actor.
    FSG is just a fad right now. Charlie is going to have some Oscar worthy performances in his already full resumes as an actor.

  18. kri says:

    I am so sad that that Charlie is still in pain! I think we should get together and figure out how best to comfort him, poor man. I wonder if there are any scenes in Arthur where he’s dipping into a lake? Let us pray.

    • Nicolette says:

      He could lay his beautiful head upon my breast as I run my fingers through his golden locks while speaking soothing words to ease his pain.

  19. PunkyMomma says:

    Charlie – stop ruminating, close you mouth and just look pretty. Thank you.

  20. Fori says:

    He’s beautiful, very talented and has a compelling onscreen presence. I loved him in SOA. He had a very lucky escape with fsog and should shut down future questions on it.

  21. meme says:

    Charlie’s not a fame/attention whore and he doesn’t do a lot of interviews. Only EW brought this up AGAIN and he’s just polite. He’s has spoken about Crimson Peak quite a bit and loves Del Toro. He’s going to be just fine.

  22. Elise says:

    The man is just plain sexy PERIOD. That he also seems like a genuinely nice guy makes him my #1.

    • Nicolette says:

      Yes he does. I love that he shuns the Hollywood life and has bought property outside the city where he and his girlfriend have some farm animals. And considering that he is a sex symbol he is always mentioning her in some way which is sweet. Lucky woman that she is!

      • Betti says:

        Yes, he’s seems like a very loyal and kind person. Not your usual famous actor type who has a wife/gf but shags around with his co-starts or any starlet/groupie who throws themselves at him (same for women as well). Just a normal bloke -maybe he should give lessons on how to be normal to Prince Normal Willy.

  23. Wolf says:

    So glad he didn’t do it.

  24. Nibbi says:

    also, can we talk about those scars on his arms? i haven’t read the ew story- but are they makeup for the flick, or *shivers* real wounds, from practicing the swordfighting? oooo … (so weird and probably sick and wrong that i find that hot… )

  25. lolamd says:

    That first picture says “I am sad. Hold me.” Yes Charlie I will hold you

  26. EM says:

    FSOG is crap.

  27. Kate says:

    I am cheap and went on a budget-slashing frenzy a few years ago whilst in a student-loan-fueled mania, so I don’t have cable and seldom watch television unless it’s a sporting event. So I had never seen his show and had to enlist the Google in order to figure out who he is, and … sigh. I might have to give up Starbucks for a week and actually splash out on movie tickets to watch this film flicker in the theater. He’s lovely.

    • Sea Dragon says:

      Kate, if you’re interested, I think Netflix is free for the first 30 days. You’ll have access to all seven seasons of SoA and a few other movies/shows he’s starred in without giving up the caffeine. 🙂

      • Kate says:

        Thanks for the tip, Sea Dragon! I think my husband would be excited if I benevolently bestowed Netflix upon him, even for only 30 days. Btw your name is similar to my family’s nickname for me – Dragon Lady (because my uterus is a barren wasteland of squandered potential and tumbleweeds, and I scare all the nieces and nephews with my cantankerous misanthropy).

  28. Chelly says:

    Idk him from dropping out of FSOG, he’ll ALWAYS be bad boy, sensitive, dirty, hot, sex on a bike Jax Teller to me!!!

  29. lila fowler says:

    He really needs to stop talking about 50 Shades. WTF? Why is he so fixated on it?

  30. Kitten says:

    Again, SHOW US YOUR BUTT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

  31. Paige says:

    He dropped out and they cast someone else. What more can you talk about? It isn’t the first it’s happened in Hollywood and it won’t be the last.

  32. Cindy says:

    I am ashamed to say, I would of worn a disguise and seen this thing in a theater if Charlie was in it. It was very painful for us too, when you turned it down. Very, very painful.

  33. Carmen says:

    He probably saved his career. Nobody in their right mind wants that movie on their résumé.

  34. Penelope says:

    I always look forward to it but now I’m really, really excited for my issue of EW to arrive. 🙂

    CH is so freaking hot….soooo sexy…and seems sweet as well! Yes, please!

  35. Josefa says:

    You can cut the bs already, Charlie. Not even Jaime and Dakota want to be there and they have made it abundantly clear with their press rounds. We all know the bullet you dodged there.

  36. bns says:

    My king

  37. Marianne says:

    Does he really feel bad about not doing 50 Shades? Cause trust me, your career didn’t need it. If not, then perhaps there’s a better way to address it. You don’t have to be rude to the reporter or to the makers of 50 Shades, but theres got to be a better way than just going on and on about how “painful” it was. Can’t he just say something like “it would have been nice to have the opportunity but it fell through. However it did give me the opportunity to do _____. So it all worked out”.

  38. Betti says:

    I wouldn’t be surprised if EL James was the real reason he dropped out – we all know how much of a nightmare she is and was very involved in the casting process. He may have wanted to work with Sam Taylor-Johnson (who is amazing) but didn’t want to put up with the hell that is the author. Workload is the go to excuse for a lot of things. Maybe the pain he talks about it the reaction of James, who am sure went crazy psycho – she has that look in her eye.

    I haven’t the movie yet but by all accounts its better than the book and thats saying something and down to the talents of Taylor-Johnson and her screenwriter. I’ve read that if Sam had been allowed complete control it would have been even better.

    • lolamd says:

      I saw the movie (hides face in shame) and I read the book (hides face even more in shame). The movie was better than the book. I thought Sam Taylor Johnson and the screenwriter did a great job with the crap material. Dakota was surprisingly good. Jamie was wooden and you could tell he was sort of ashamed. Now with her gone, I hold no hopes that the next movie will be any good.

  39. Luce says:

    He is just really . . . wow. WOW! This photo set is a million times sexier than FSOG could ever hope to be.

  40. sad DSA says:

    I have so much respect for any actor that’s brave enough to drop out of a role (especially during earlier stages of their career when they’ve no notable roles to fall back to). Especially if they do it for ethical/moral reasons and it could have been their big break. You bet it’s hard and painful, especially when you’re an actress and time runs out faster for you because you’re a woman.

    And I believe people do give you a hard time for it. I mean has anyone noticed how these film/TV people talk? “A million girls would kill for this job” and they start guilting you for taking shitty roles that get you mocked in the future with stuff like, “why are you being so ungrateful? I’m giving you a chance [to get made fun of for this mistake of a role].” And you know what? When you do leave (because they did something so crappy it could’ve had legal repercussions), they just say things like, “we’re going to hire an actress with an actual degree in drama.” And try to bring you down and imply you’re a snob for it.

  41. Ange says:

    Awww no boat pic? *scurries off to look at it again*

  42. Jag says:

    It looks like he was bitten by an insect and is going to cry in that first photo. The second isn’t much better.

    I do like his look on the actual cover, though. He needs to learn to make that face when being photographed.

    I didn’t want to click on this article because the title and the almost-crying photo made me think it would be full of whining. It wasn’t, so things are okay.