Will Dakota Johnson Keep Her Role As Anastasia After Charlie Hunnam’s Exit?

Is Dakota Johnson still Anastasia Steele in Fifty Shades Of Grey after Charlie Hunnam’s exit from the project?

Some say her role is in danger after Hunnam’s departure, but others believe that her casting has been strengthened by his decision to leave.

Johnson was cast as Anna in September, shortly after the announcement that Charlie Hunnam had been chosen to portray Christian Grey, ending months of speculation as to who would play the handsome, but unstable magnate.

The adaptation of the incredibly popular E.L. James novel of the same name will be directed by Sam Taylor-Johnson and is scheduled to begin filming next month.

However, now that Charlie Hunnam is Christian Grey no more, Dakota Johnson’s future in the film is unclear.

At the time of his casting, Hunnam said that one of the important considerations in his decision to take the role was Johnson’s casting as his love interest in the film.

Charlie Hunnam said the chemistry he and Dakota Johnson had when they did their screening and read together was palpable and he was very comfortable having her as a partner.

Johnson hasn’t said much since her casting or commented about Hunnam’s departure, but she was not received positively by fans after the announcement of her casting as the recent graduate who starts a kinky romance with Christian Grey.

E! News’ Marc Malkin reported on Tuesday night that Dakota is struggling to prepare herself for the responsibility of playing the sought after role.

“Dakota is having a very hard time dealing with all the press,” the source told Malkin. “When she first got the role, it was way too much for her.”

The source didn’t say whether Hunnam’s departure will have any effect on Dakota Johnson leaving or staying in Fifty Shades Of Grey, however producers have been put in the tough position of not only finding their Christian Grey, but choosing someone that has that chemistry Charlie Hunnam talked about.

Some other Hollywood insiders say the Sons Of Anarchy star’s departure is a great opportunity for Johnson and will take the attention that was focused on him.

The Wrap says, “Unlike Hunnam, Johnson knows what it’s like to live under a microscope, having grown up in the public eye as the daughter of Melanie Griffith and Don Johnson.”

They add multiple sources believe the Taylor-Johnson and James will build up the rest of the cast around Dakota Johnson and not let that casting of Christian Grey be the end-all of the film.

Fifty Shades Of Grey is scheduled to be released on August 1, 2014 and as far as we know Dakota Johnson will play Anastasia Steele. Who would you like to see as her Christian Grey?