'Fifty Shades' team bound up in search for new Christian Grey

‘Fifty Shades’ team bound up in search for new Christian Grey

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Johnson plays young college grad and bookworm Anastasia Steele. You might have also seen her in “Ben and Kate,” “The Five-Year Engagement,” “The Social Network,” and “Beastly.” (Anne Cusack / Los Angeles Times)

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Mumford plays young journalist and Anastasia Steele’s best friend and roommate, Kate Kavanaugh. You might have also seen her in TV series “Crash,” “Lone Star” and “The River.” (Alberto E. Rodriguez / Getty Images)

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Ora plays Christian Grey’s bubbly, adoptive sister Mia Grey. The British singer is best known for her vocal chops and had few acting credits to her name, save for an uncredited appearance in “Fast & Furious 6” and a cameo in “90210.” (Joel Ryan / Invision / Associated Press)

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Ehle plays Carla Steele, Anastasia’s mother. You might have also seen her in “Zero Dark Thirty,” “A Gifted Man,” “Contagion,” “The Ides of March,” “The Adjustment Bureau” and “The King’s Speech.” (Neilson Barnard / Getty Images for the New Yorker)

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Director Sam Taylor-Johnson has also done “Nowhere Boy” (2009) with Aaron Taylor-Johnson and Kristin Scott Thomas. (Eamonn McCormack / Getty Images)

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Producer Dana Brunetti was nominated for an Oscar for “The Social Network” and executive-produced Netflix’s “House of Cards” and the 2010 film “Casino Jack,” both with Kevin Spacey. (Kevin Winter / Getty Images For TheWrap)

By Mark Olsen

Oct. 21, 2013 3:29 PM PT

Setting another round of anticipation and speculation into gear, auditions have begun to recast the role of Christian Grey in the adaptation of E.L. James’ novel “Fifty Shades of Grey,” the Hollywood Reporter says.

Following the high-profile departure of actor Charlie Hunnam from the lead role as an S&M aficionado / billionaire, the filmmaking team has been forced to scramble in hopes of making the planned release date of August 2014. Directed by Sam Taylor-Wood, the film’s screenplay is said to be in the process of being rewritten by Patrick Marber.

Actors Billy Magnussen and Jamie Dornan are said to have both read for the part opposite actress Dakota Johnson. Johnson was announced for the role at the same time as Hunnam and is apparently sticking by the part. (And the filmmakers are sticking by her.)

PHOTOS: Celebrities by The Times

The new opening for the role has set off quite the round of comedy among actors on Twitter.

Emile Hirsch (@EmileHirsch) posted a photo of himself in a Lone Ranger/bondage mask. Noah Segan declared “I am prepared to accept the role of Christian Slater in 50 Shades of Slater.” Seth Rogen (@SethRogen) put himself up for the part (more specifically a certain body part) in a manner unprintable here. Patton Oswalt (@PattonOswalt) accepted the role while asking, “Do they sell Spanx on Amazon?”

Also:

Charlie Hunnam: Can “Fifty Shades of Grey” movie recover?

Charlie Hunnam exits “Fifty Shades of Grey”

“Fifty Shades of Grey”: Where did the early online drafts go?

Follow Mark Olsen on twitter: @IndieFocus