'Fifty Shades of Grey' Movie Taps Jamie Dornan as New Christian Grey

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By Brian Anthony Hernandez2013-10-24 15:04:06 UTC

Irish actor and former Calvin Klein underwear model Jamie Dornan will play young billionaire Christian Grey in the film adaptation of Fifty Shades of Grey . The 31-year-old, who TV viewers know from his roles as Sheriff Graham Humbert on Once Upon a Time (pictured, above) and killer Paul Spector on The Fall, is taking over as leading man after Charlie Hunnam stepped down earlier this month due to scheduling conflicts.

Dornan's name was tossed around as a possible replacement among other fan favorites such as Matt Bomer, Henry Cavill and Ian Somerhalder.

Dornan will star alongside 24-year-old Dakota Johnson, who will still play Anastasia Steele, when the book-saga-turned-film premieres Aug. 1, 2014. Although Dornan has been selected by producers for the coveted role, he is still in the process of finalizing his contract for the film series, according to The Hollywood Reporter .

The Fifty Shades trilogy, which has sold more than 70 million copies in e-book and print worldwide in 50 languages, centers on Christian's kinky relationship with recent college graduate Anastasia. Christian requires Anastasia to sign a sexual contract, and the two routinely engage in acts such as bondage.

Sam Taylor-Johnson will direct the film, released by Universal Pictures and Focus Features and produced by Dana Brunetti and Michael De Luca.

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