"Sons of Anarchy" actor Charlie Hunnam has nabbed one of the most talked-about roles in Hollywood with his casting in the upcoming adaptation of EL James' "Fifty Shades of Grey."


Hunnam will star in the film as the male lead, Christian Grey, a businessman with a taste for kinky sex. James announced Hunnam's casting last week on Twitter, writing, "The gorgeous and talented Charlie Hunnam will be Christian Grey in the film adaptation of 'Fifty Shades of Grey.'" In addition to his role in "Sons of Anarchy," Hunnam has also appeared in "Pacific Rim," "Children of Men," and "Cold Mountain."


The 33-year-old actor will star opposite actress Dakota Johnson who will play Grey's love interest, Anastasia Steele. Johnson's resume includes roles in "21 Jump Street," "The Five-Year Engagement," and "The Social Network."


After the initial frenzy surrounding the announcement, and the ensuing backlash, died down, Hunnam spoke about the role, voicing his excitement about playing the man that made James' debut novel the fastest-selling book of all time.


"[I am] so excited to be entrusted with this empowered character," Hunnam told Entertainment Tonight. He went on to add that he "anticipated" the major reactions that fans had to his casting, saying, "These books were a global phenomenon. I isolate myself [so I] haven't been too aware of what's [going on in] social media."


Hunnam also recently spoke about working with Johnson, telling THR, "As soon as we got in the room and started reading with Dakota, I knew that I definitely wanted to do it, because there was a tangible chemistry between us."


Led by director Sam Taylor-Johnson, "Fifty Shades of Grey" will hit theaters on Aug. 1, 2014.



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  • Premiere Of FX's "Sons Of Anarchy" Season 6 - Red Carpet


    HOLLYWOOD, CA - SEPTEMBER 07: Actor Charlie Hunnam attends the season 6 premiere of FX's 'Sons Of Anarchy' at Dolby Theatre on September 7, 2013 in Hollywood, California. (Photo by Kevin Winter/Getty Images)




  • Premiere Of FX's "Sons Of Anarchy" Season 6 - Red Carpet


    HOLLYWOOD, CA - SEPTEMBER 07: Actor Charlie Hunnam attends the season 6 premiere of FX's 'Sons Of Anarchy' at Dolby Theatre on September 7, 2013 in Hollywood, California. (Photo by Kevin Winter/Getty Images)




  • 2013 Summer TCA Tour - Day 10


    BEVERLY HILLS, CA - AUGUST 02: (L-R) Actor Charlie Hunnam speaks onstage during the 'Sons of Anarchy' panel discussion at the FX portion of the 2013 Summer Television Critics Association tour - Day 10 at The Beverly Hilton Hotel on August 2, 2013 in Beverly Hills, California. (Photo by Frederick M. Brown/Getty Images)




  • 2013 Summer TCA Tour - Day 10


    BEVERLY HILLS, CA - AUGUST 02: (L-R) Actor Charlie Hunnam walks onstage during the 'Sons of Anarchy' panel discussion at the FX portion of the 2013 Summer Television Critics Association tour - Day 10 at The Beverly Hilton Hotel on August 2, 2013 in Beverly Hills, California. (Photo by Frederick M. Brown/Getty Images)




  • US-ENTERTAINMENT-PREMIERE-PACIFIC RIM


    Actor Charlie Hunnam poses on arrival for the Los Angeles premiere of the film 'Pacific Rim' in Hollywood, California, on July 9, 2013. The film opens nationwide on July 12. AFP PHOTO/Frederic J. BROWN (Photo credit should read FREDERIC J. BROWN/AFP/Getty Images)




  • Premiere Of Warner Bros. Pictures And Legendary Pictures' "Pacific Rim" - Arrivals


    HOLLYWOOD, CA - JULY 09: Actor Charlie Hunnam arrives at the premiere of Warner Bros. Pictures' and Legendary Pictures' 'Pacific Rim' at Dolby Theatre on July 9, 2013 in Hollywood, California. (Photo by Frazer Harrison/Getty Images)




  • 2013 FX Upfront Bowling Event


    NEW YORK, NY - MARCH 28: Actor Charlie Hunnam attends the 2013 FX Upfront Bowling Event at Luxe at Lucky Strike Lanes on March 28, 2013 in New York City. (Photo by Dimitrios Kambouris/Getty Images)




  • Premiere Of Warner Bros. Pictures And Legendary Pictures' "Pacific Rim" - Red Carpet


    HOLLYWOOD, CA - JULY 09: Actor Charlie Hunnam arrives at the premiere of Warner Bros. Pictures' and Legendary Pictures' 'Pacific Rim' at Dolby Theatre on July 9, 2013 in Hollywood, California. (Photo by Kevin Winter/Getty Images)




  • Charlie Hunnam Appears At Hyde Bellagio


    LAS VEGAS, NV - NOVEMBER 10: Actor Charlie Hunnam arrives at Hyde Bellagio at the Bellagio to celebrate the fifth season of the television show, 'Sons of Anarchy' on November 10, 2012 in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Photo by Steven Lawton/Getty Images for Hyde)




  • Premiere Of FX's "Sons Of Anarchy" Season 6 - Red Carpet


    HOLLYWOOD, CA - SEPTEMBER 07: Actor Charlie Hunnam attends the season 6 premiere of FX's 'Sons Of Anarchy' at Dolby Theatre on September 7, 2013 in Hollywood, California. (Photo by Kevin Winter/Getty Images)




  • "Sons Of Anarchy" - Press Line - Comic-Con International 2012


    SAN DIEGO, CA - JULY 15: Actor Charlie Hunnam attends 'Sons of Anarchy' press line during Comic-Con International 2012 at Hilton San Diego Bayfront Hotel on July 15, 2012 in San Diego, California. (Photo by Frazer Harrison/Getty Images)




  • "Sons Of Anarchy" Panel - Comic-Con International 2012


    SAN DIEGO, CA - JULY 15: Actor Charlie Hunnam speaks at 'Sons of Anarchy' Pane during Comic-Con International 2012 at San Diego Convention Center on July 15, 2012 in San Diego, California. (Photo by Kevin Winter/Getty Images)




  • Screening Of FX's "Sons Of Anarchy" - Arrivals


    HOLLYWOOD, CA - AUGUST 30: Actor Charlie Hunnam arrives at the Screening of FX's 'Sons Of Anarchy' Season 4 Premiere at ArcLight Cinemas Cinerama Dome on August 30, 2011 in Hollywood, California. (Photo by Frazer Harrison/Getty Images)




  • "The Ledge" Press Junket At Bing Bar - 2011 Park City


    PARK CITY, UT - JANUARY 22: Actor Charlie Hunnam attends 'The Ledge' Press Junket at Bing Bar on January 22, 2011 in Park City, Utah. (Photo by Michael Buckner/Getty Images for Bing)




  • Premiere Of FX & FOX 21's "Sons Of Anarchy" Season 3 - Arrivals


    HOLLYWOOD - AUGUST 30: Actor Charlie Hunnam arrives at the premiere premiere of FX and FOX 21's 'Sons Of Anarchy' Season 3 at the Arclight Theatre on August 30, 2010 in Hollywood, California. (Photo by Michael Buckner/Getty Images)




  • 2010 Summer TCA Tour - Day 7


    BEVERLY HILLS, CA - AUGUST 03: Actor Charlie Hunnam of the television show 'Sons of Anarchy' speaks during the FX portion of the 2010 Summer TCA Press Tour at the Beverly Hilton Hotel on August 3, 2010 in Beverly Hills, California. (Photo by Frederick M. Brown/Getty Images)




  • Premiere of FX's "Sons of Anarchy" Season 2 - Arrivals


    LOS ANGELES, CA - AUGUST 23: Actor Charlie Hunnam arrives at the season two premiere of FX's 'Sons of Anarchy' at the Paramount Theater on August 23, 2009 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Kevin Winter/Getty Images)




  • Premiere Of FX's "Sons Of Anarchy" Season 2 - Arrivals


    HOLLYWOOD - AUGUST 23: Actor Charlie Hunnam arrives at the season two premiere of the FX television series 'Sons of Anarchy' at the Paramount theatre on August 23, 2009 in Hollywood, California. (Photo by Jason Merritt/Getty Images)




  • 2008 Summer TCA Tour - Day 8


    BEVERLY HILLS, CA - JULY 15: Actor Charlie Hunnam speaks during the Fox portion of the Television Critics Association Press Tour at the Beverly Hilton Hotel on July 15, 2008 in Beverly Hills, California. (Photo by Frederick M. Brown/Getty Images)




  • Premiere Of Universal's "Children Of Men" - Arrivals


    WESTWOOD, CA - NOVEMBER 16: Actor Charlie Hunnam attends the Los Angeles premiere of Universal's 'Children of Men' at the Mann Village Theatre on November 16, 2006 in Westwood, California. (Photo by David Livingston/Getty Images)




  • The Fashion Group International's 21st Annual Night Of Stars


    NEW YORK - OCTOBER 28: Actor Charlie Hunnam attends The Fashion Group International's 21st Annual Night of Stars at Cipriani's 42nd Street October 28, 2004 in New York City. (Photo by Evan Agostini/Getty Images)




  • Charlie Hunnam


    LONDON - JUNE 22: (UK NEWSPAPERS OUT) Actor Charlie Hunnam arrives at the Nicholas Nickleby premiere at the Warner Village Cinema West End June 22, 2003 in London, United Kingdom. (Photo by Dave Hogan/Getty Images)




  • Actor Charlie Hunnam At The Premiere of Nicholas Nickleby


    NEW YORK-DECEMBER 17: Actor Charlie Hunnam arrives at the premiere of the film 'Nicholas Nickleby' December 17, 2002 in New York City, New York. (Photo by Lawrence Lucier/Getty Images)




  • Premiere Of Warner Bros. Pictures And Legendary Pictures' "Pacific Rim" - Arrivals


    HOLLYWOOD, CA - JULY 09: Actor Charlie Hunnam attends the premiere of Warner Bros. Pictures and Legendary Pictures' 'Pacific Rim' at the Dolby Theatre on July 9, 2013 in Hollywood, California. (Photo by David Livingston/Getty Images)