The actor lined up to play Christian Grey in the hotly-anticipated Fifty Shades of Grey film quit the project after becoming "overwhelmed" with his newfound fame.
Charlie Hunnam dropped out of his role as the bondage-loving billionaire in Universal's adaptation of E.L. James' best-selling novel over the weekend.
Insiders have claimed he couldn't cope with the increased media attention he has received since landing the role last month.
According to The Hollywood Reporter, the 33-year-old star got "cold feet" about carrying the erotic franchise due to the "media and fan frenzy" that followed his casting.
Universal reportedly hired 50 extra bodyguards to look after the star at a recent Sons of Anarchy premiere event, where Hunnam was also deluged with questions about his role in the movie, rather than his show.
Sources stress, however, that the British actor had no qualms about filming the movie's numerous sexy scenes.
Universal confirmed it had accepted Hunnam's resignation on Saturday - citing his busy TV schedule - and will now look for a replacement to star alongside Dakota Johnson, who will play Anastasia Steele in the flick.
The studio said in a statement: "The filmmakers of Fifty Shades of Grey and Charlie Hunnam have agreed to find another male lead given Hunnam's immersive TV schedule, which is not allowing him time to adequately prepare for the role of Christian Grey."
