Los Angeles: The makers of `Fifty Shades of Grey` have hired Oscar-nominated Patrick Marber to polish work on the script amid Charlie Hunnam`s departure as the leading man.
Now, `The Fall` actor Jamie Dornan and Alexander Skarsgard of `True Blood` are being counted among the probables in the Universal/Focus` movie. Dakota Johnson is playing Anastasia Steele.
Marber`s credits include `Closer`, `Notes on a Scandal` and a short film titled `Love You More`, which was directed by `Fifty Shades` helmer Sam Taylor-Johnson.
The move to hire Marber was made before Hunnam left the much hyped role on Saturday, said the Hollywood Reporter.
There is speculation that Kelly Marcel`s script might be one of the reasons behind Hunnam`s abrupt exit from the adaptation of E L James` novel.
Apparently, the producers are looking at a November start after Marber polishes the script and they hope to find a leading man by then.
Apart from Dornan and Skarsgard, the studio is also revisiting its initial list of possible contenders, including Theo James and Christian Cooke.
