Jamie Dornan replaces Hunnam in 'Fifty Shades'

[October 25, 2013]  NEW YORK (AP) --   "Fifty Shades of Grey" has its male lead, again.

Jamie Dornan has been cast as Christian Grey, the lead role that Charlie Hunnam withdrew from recently. Dornan will star alongside female lead Dakota Johnson, with Sam Taylor-Johnson directing. Shooting is planned to begin in November, with a release in August next year.

Hunnam's departure left the project momentarily reeling. The big-screen adaption of E L James' bestselling erotic novel has been carefully followed by its fans, who were critical of Hunnam's casting.

The 31-year-old Dornan, a former model from Northern Ireland, is relatively unknown. He's starred in the British TV series "The Fall" and the ABC series "Once Upon a Time."

Unlike with Hunnam, social media reaction to Dornan's casting was generally positive.

[Associated Press]

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