The search for Charlie Hunnam's replacement appears to be over!
According to multiple reports, Irish actor Jamie Dornan is in negotiations to play Christian Grey in "Fifty Shades of Grey" -- and the studio is ready to tie him down (pun intended!).
Once that contract is signed, the handsome Hollywood hunk will get kinky alongside Dakota Johnson, who's onboard to play Anastasia Steele in the adaptation of E.L. James' erotica novel, which is slated to begin shooting in the beginning of November.
A rep for Dornan has not yet returned a request for comment.
E! News first reported that the "Once Upon a Time" star was in the lead for the role last week, after a source told us exclusively that, "He had a really good read today."
LOOK: Get to know Jamie Dornan a little better
The source explained that the studio is focusing more attention on getting the part filled and not as worried about how the actor will do opposite Johnson. "The studio isn't worried about Dakota," the source added. "They think she could handle whoever the guy is."
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The rumor mill with potential replacements has been running wild since Hunnam's shocking departure from the project, with the list including (to name a few) fan favorites Matt Bomer and Ian Somerhalder, Franois Arnaud, Billy Magnussen, Luke Bracey, Christian Cooke and Scott Eastwood.
WATCH: Charlie Hunnam opens up about pet project in first interview since leaving Fifty Shades
Michael De Luca, one of the hotly anticipated film's producers, couldn't comment on whether Dornan was their man while talking to E! News exclusively on the red carpet at the 2013 Hollywood Film Awards on Monday, but did note that they were going to cast Christian in the very near future.
"We're looking on your website, we're looking under rocks in Zimbabwe, in space, on the moon. We're looking everywhere, but I think in a couple weeks it will be announced and everything will be cool," and added, "We're on track. The release date [Aug. 1, 2014] is preserved and we're gonna kind of keep going."
James hasn't yet tweeted her thoughts, but Kate Mara is super-excited about the idea.
"Congrats to the sweetest person/scariest actor I know, @JamieDornan1 !!!! #50ShadesOfGrey just got real. So fu$!in psyched. #blameIreland," she tweeted tonight.
Are you excited about the news? Sound off in the comments!
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