Today, Dakota Johnson, who will play Anastasia Steel in the upcoming film adaptation of Fifty Shades of Grey, met up with the author of the book, E.L. James. Their smiles in a picture uploaded to Twitter hint that Johnson and James may not be very shaken up by fan reactions to the film's casting. Yesterday, Charlie Hunnam, the new Christian Grey, spoke out about the role.

According to Hunnam, he spoke with Sam Taylor-Johnson, the director of Fifty Shades of Grey, before reading for the part. After learning about the part, Hunnam said he "felt really intrigued and excited about it."

"I went and read the first book to get a clearer idea of who this character was and felt even more excited about the prospect of bringing him to life," Hunnam said.

Hunnam, 33, currently stars as Jackson "Jax" Teller in FX's "Sons of Anarchy." Because of the role, which Hunnam has played since 2008, the actor was uncertain about signing on to a motion picture. Taylor-Johnson, however, adjusted the shooting schedule to better accommodate Hunnam.

After that, Hunnam did a reading with Johnson, 23. According to Hunnam, there was an immediate connection.

"As soon as we got in the room and started reading with Dakota, I knew that I definitely wanted to do it because there was a tangible chemistry between us," Hunnam said during the season six premiere of "Sons of Anarchy" event. "It felt kind of exciting and fun and weird and compelling, and so that was it."

Chemistry is essential for the film. In the book, Christian Grey and Anastasia Steele share very explicit moments. Their relationship is sexually-charged, fueled by eroticism and bondage.

"My first job was on a Channel 4 miniseries called 'Queer as Folk,'" Hunnam said regarding the role's raciness. "[There were] incredibly explicit sexual scenes with a man. I mean, I'm 16- and 17-years wiser now. So if I could do it when I was 18 with a guy, I can certainly do it at 33 with a lady."

Hunnam's girlfriend, jewelry designer Morgana McNelis encouraged Hunnam to take the role. Hunnam said that McNelis also "loved the books."

"It's very hard to be with an actor," Hunnam said. "She's required to share parts of me that she wouldn't really want to share. With the nature of this role, that's going to be times 10."

Fifty Shades of Grey will be released by Focus Features on Aug. 1, 2014.

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