Charlie Hunnam Cast In '50 Shades Of Grey' As Christian Grey

Charlie Hunnam has been cast in "50 Shades of Grey" as Christian Grey, this according to author E L James who tweeted the news on Monday. An hour earlier, James had revealed that Dakota Johnson would star in the film as Anastasia Steele.

Hunnam was rumored for the "50 Shades" lead role back on Aug. 20, when the website Twitch Film reported that he was in talks for the part. Hunnam starred this summer in the Warner Bros. film "Pacific Rim" and also leads the hit FX series "Sons of Anarchy." At the time, Variety debunked the Hunnam report, noting that a "studio insider" said no casting decision had been made just yet -- a curious shoot-down if only because the original Twitch scoop did not state that Hunnam had the part. That's all academic now, however, as the 33-year-old has won the coveted role.

He'll star opposite Johnson, 23, in the film, which is based the first entry in James' erotic novel trilogy. Sam Taylor-Johnson will direct the film.

"50 Shades of Grey" is out in theaters on Aug. 1, 2014.