Even though he abandoned the lead role of Christian Grey, "Sons of Anarchy" actor Charlie Hunnam is excited to see the "Fifty Shades of Grey" movie.

On Sunday, Hunnam attended an event for Fox for the Television Critics Association press tour, where he revealed his anticipation for the film with which he was briefly involved.

"I'm just really excited to see it," the 35-year-old actor said according to Associated Press. "I was just really, really invested and wanted to work with [director] Sam [Taylor-Johnson] and play that character. I'm really, really curious."

Hunnam also defended E.L. James' erotic novel of the same name from which the movie is based. Many have referred to the bestselling novel and its two sequels as "mommy porn."

"I think people really do that book a disservice when they reduce it to that type of talk," he explained. "What [James] actually created is a really sophisticated dynamic and presented it in a package which was accessible to people who normally would be terrified of that subject ... Actually what she did was pretty brilliant."

Hunnam dropped out of the movie less than two months after being awarded the role amid fan criticism, citing a busy schedule with his FX series "Sons of Anarchy." He was eventually replaced with Northern Irish actor Jamie Dornan ("The Fall") opposite Dakota Johnson ("Need for Speed") as Anastasia Steele. Hunnam apparently has no hard feelings as on Sunday, he said that Dornan is "probably a lot better looking and a lot smoother" than himself and is "going to do just fine."

Although some suspect that Hunnam left because of negative feedback, he described the decision as "heartbreaking."

"I don't think people have had unchaperoned access to me since all of this went on ... the CliffsNotes were exactly what we said," he said. "I couldn't do it because of [my] schedule. It was as simple as that."

Those who would have liked to see Hunnam as Christian may get a treat: the actor said he would be open to having his audition tape appear on the eventual "Fifty Shades of Grey" DVD.

"I would've brought a certain rugged charm to [Christian Grey] ..." Hunnam said.

"Fifty Shades of Grey" hits theaters Feb. 13, 2015.
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Follow Scharon Harding on Twitter: @ScharHar.

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