British actor Charlie Hunnam has dropped out of the hotly-anticipated film version of the erotic novel "Fifty Shades of Grey".

That's according to a statement from the film's producers over the weekend.

33-year-old Hunnam had been announced last month to star in the lead role of Christian Grey, opposite Dakota Johnson in the film being directed by Sam Taylor-Johnson.

The statement said the British actor's immersive schedule in filming TV series "Sons of Anarchy" didn't give him time to properly prepare for the high profile lead.

The producers made no mention of a replacement for Hunnam.

Some reports had suggested the choice of Hunnam - a role he had initially turned down - had stirred controversy among some fans of the literary series.

E.L. James' wildly popular novel "Fifty Shades of Grey" is about a passionate relationship between literature student Anastasia Steele and the manipulative entrepreneur Christian.

James tweeted her support for Hu