‘Fifty Shades Of Grey’: Jamie Dornan Exit Rumors A Ploy To Loosen E.L. James’ Grip On Series

Despite rumors to the contrary Jamie Dornan will return to play Christian Grey in the future Fifty Shades Of Grey films, while it has also been revealed that this speculation was merely a ploy to loosen the grip of the novels’ author, E.L. James.

It’s been suggested that James was heavily involved in the film’s production, and she is believed to have butted heads and had creative differences with Fifty Shades Of Grey’s director, Sam Taylor Johnson.

The Mirror have reported that the 32-year-old actor is now “committed” to appearing in the remaining two films of the trilogy.

A source told the Sunday Times, “It’s quite the opposite and they (Jamie Dornan and Dakota Johnson) are both committed to the project because of the benefits to the family.”

The rumors of this casting change began because the studio wants to “loosen [James’] grip” on the film, and they want Taylor Johnson to have full creative control on where the franchise is heading.

This led Dornan to declare that if Taylor Johnson was to depart the Fifty Shades Of Grey series, then he would follow suit.

“Jamie has made it known that doubts could be in place if Taylor-Johnson exits, but it’s just a ploy designed to put pressure on James and push her to loosen her grip. The truth is that Jamie plans to do all three and very much with the backing of his family,” the insider confirmed.

Jamie Dornan wasn’t actually the first choice to play Christian Grey in Fifty Shades Of Grey. He signed up after Charlie Hunnam decided to leave the film, and Taylor-Johnson has now revealed that the Sons Of Anarchy actor dropped out because he didn’t want to sign up for an entire trilogy of Fifty Shades films.

“Charlie and I were working really well together. But signing up for one film is very different from signing up for a trilogy. As the process got bigger, I started to sense his fear. On the day he called me to say that he just couldn’t do it, I knew it was coming, but it was very sad. But then, I truly believe Jamie was meant to be Christian Grey — so, things work out for a reason.”

It had previously been teased that Dornan wanted to leave the film at the insistence of his wife, Amelia, who he has a 15-month daughter, Dulcie, with.

Fifty Shades Of Grey has so far grossed just under $500 million across the world, while the first sequel, Fifty Shades Darker, will follow in 2016, while Fifty Shades Freed is expected to arrive a few years later.