Fifty Shades of Grey Casting: Jamie Dornan Finally Signed on as Christian Grey [PHOTOS]

Northern Irish actor Jamie Dornan has been cast as Christian Grey in the film adaptation of Fifty Shades of Grey. Dornan replaces Charlie Hunnam who recently exited from the project citing scheduling issues with Sons of Anarchy and upcoming movie, Crimson Peak.

The film has been facing constant casting woes with Hunnam's exit only adding to the maker's troubles. According to Variety, post Hunnam's departure from the film, studio executives decided to go for more of a discovery and brought in Dornan and Billy Magnussen to test with Dakota Johnson who stars as Anastasia Steele.

Dornan plays Sheriff Graham Humbert in ABC series Once Upon a Time; he's also played a serial killer in BBC Two crime drama, The Fall and he appeared in Sofia Coppola's Marie Antoinette. The 31-year-old has also modelled for Calvin Klein, Christian Dior and Armani. His modelling experience may be useful, as the part will require him to act in explicitly sexual scenes.

Michael De Luca is on to produce the adaptation of EL James' sexy bestseller, which will be directed by Sam Taylor-Johnson.

The part of the millionaire S&M enthusiast was reportedly previously turned down by both Tron actor Garrett Hedlund and Ryan Gosling. Scott Eastwood was also rumored to be a strong contender for this part. Novelist Bret Easton Ellis, who is not affiliated with the movie, claimed James told him Robert Pattinson was her first choice for the role (via Daily News America).