Matt Bomer had probably the best weekend of his young life after The Hollywood Reporter dropped the news that Sons of Anarchy star Charlie Hunnam had gotten cold feet and would no longer be starring in the Fifty Shades of Grey movie.

Charlie HunnamCharlie Hunnam On The Set Of 'Sons of Anarchy'

"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," Universal Pictures said in a statement. THR claimed the actor was "overwhelmed" with the attention he received since the casting announcement and decided to drop out.

Universal was forced to hire bodyguards for the actor at the recent Sons of Anarchy premiere, where questions about Fifty Shades dominated the red-carpet. 

Sam Taylor-Johnson (Nowhere Boy) is directing the movie, based on E.L James' bestselling erotic novel about a billionaire Christian Grey and his submissive student Anastasia Steele, set to be played by Dakota Johnson.

Fans of the book had campaigned against both castings, claiming Hunnam was wrong for the part and should be replaced by Matt Bomer. Though it appears the Sons of Anarchy star dropped out owing to the general buzz of the film, the fan backlash was probably in the back of his mind and Bomer may well get the gig.

Charlie Hunnam Fifty Shades of GreyCharlie Hunnam Has Dropped Out Of The Fifty Shades of Grey Movie

Nevertheless, the exit leaves producers Michael De Luca and Dana Brunetti in an extremely tough position, given filming was set to start in Vancouver on the first of November with a release date for August 1, 2014, which now appears hugely unlikely. 

The bookmakers have Bomer as the favorite to replace Hunnam at 6/1, though Irish actor Cillian Murphy - currently starring in the British gangster series Peaky Blinders - is an intriguing option at 7/1. The Vampire Diaries star Ian Somerhalder, who was deemed to be the favorite before Hunnam landed the role, is available at 8/1 with Ladbrokes. 

Jessica Bridge of Ladbrokes said: "As Hunman's tied up with TV work fans have been whipped into a betting frenzy, and the odds suggest they'll get their man second time round with Matt Bomer as Mr Grey," according to the Daily Mirror.

Bomer was understood to have been in the running for the part the first time round and hinted as much in a remark following the fans petition to remove Hunnam. "I'm so grateful for the fans and touched. I'm looking forward to seeing the movie with Charlie and Dakota," he told Entertainment Tonight. 

He would almost certainly snap up the role should it be offered, though it would be worth him rememebering that this movie could be atrocious. Really really bad. 

Matt BomerMatt Bomer Would Snap Up The Role of Christian Grey, Should It Be Offered

Charlie Hunnam rose to prominence in the British drama Queer as Folk before landing roles in the Fox comedy series Undeclared, football hooligan movie Green Street and most recently in the hit FX series Sons of Anarchy.