Draven

Maybe I'm just naive but whenever stuff like this happens and it's blamed on scheduling, it's not my first instinct to think that there is some behind the scenes stuff or conspiracy going on. It's probably just scheduling.

Making movies is a business for everyone involved. Sometimes that business doesn't work out and projects fall apart, actors leave, others are cast. It's not always something worth speculating on. But then gossip sites wouldn't have anything to write about, I suppose.

Troy Stiffler

Or he said to himself, "what did I just do? Twilight fan fiction. Nooooo".

hanshotfirst1138

It's also entirely possible that someone offered him a job which offered more money.

Troy Stiffler

Nah. I'm pretty sure Obama (being puppeted by the Roman Catholic church) did it.

Artman

Wasn't Bomer a runner-up? That casting would be more interesting than anything else... a gay actor playing a high profile straight character. Unfortunately the title and subject matter lends itself to all kinds of jokes.... lol. But his career options are running low, and it might even make the actress (and crew) a little more comfortable.

Deftones

SOA does 13 episode seasons. this isn't a network full season of 22 - 24 episodes. they started filming the season in May. unless they plan on filming this movie next spring/summer (which is when SOA films), there is no issue in scheduling with that. that's why there is something else going on.

Draven

Or you don't know his post-filming SOA commitments, pre-Shades prep responsibilities, etc.

RocShemp

Bomer was the fan favorite but it seems the role was never offered to him. That and Bret Easton Ellis (is he involved in this movie in any way?) made a big stink about how Bomer being gay in real life made him totally wrong for the lead in this movie. I guess Ellis doesn't know that actors pretend for a living or how Bomer plays a straight ladies man in White Collar.

That said, I hope they never cast Bomer. He's too good to waste his talent on this trash.

Deftones

But they are blaming him dropping out on SOA schedule, not another project.

Draven

Right, but I'm saying that just going "well, they are probably done filming so it's gotta be something else" doesn't take into account a million other things he might have to do because of SOA.

Artman

Yeah, I don't think the ladies had any trouble lusting after him in Magic Mike. True, most probably didn't know he's gay... but I don't think that'll hurt the general fanbase even when they find that out. I kinda see it as a similar target audience, but I don't know much about the books...

Brack

Well I guess this will put me back in the running for the role...

GatorDeb

Scheduling schmeduling. This had something to do with people's outcry over his casting.

This is probably how it went down:

Hey, we're dropping you, but we'll give you the option to tell people it was your choice to drop out and come up with a reason.

RocShemp

There was actual outcry over his casting? Did a horde of middle aged women picket the studio offices or something?

PenguinJoe

I think maybe the studio thought Pacific Rim would be bigger than it was.

Deftones

again, read the statement. it says his TV commitments are preventing him from doing the movie. the only TV commitment he has SOA. he's not on any other TV show. so unless they are using the show as a scapegoat to allow him to bow out for other reasons, it doesn't make any sense.

Nickee

The way I read the statement is that because of the SOA schedule, he couldn't adequately prepare for the role - not that he couldn't do the filming.

The movie was supposed to start filming early November. So if they are still filming SOA, I guess I could believe that he didn't have enough time for preparation.

Draven

But there is more to his TV commitment than just filming. And maybe that's preventing him doing whatever he needs to do to get ready for this role.

Also, I don't care who is in this movie as I think they missed their window for getting this in theaters. But my first thought isn't that it must be more nefarious than a scheduling issue.

GoldenJCJ

Yeah, because Pacific Rim and 50 Shades of Grey are both appealing to the same demographic.

Deftones

what is there to prepare for the role? he's a pretty in shape guy. i know nothing of the book, so i'd assume the guy in the book isn't some fat slob, which he'd have to become.

I have no skin in the game. But this is not an uncommon practice. There have been many actors who have been dumped from a role and allowed to say there are scheduling conflicts. Pretty much a way for everyone to save face.

Josh-da-man

Maybe Jax figured out that he was about to star in this generation's Showgirls and backed out.

Alex Start

I am looking forward to production this movie, i've reas all books

Dr. DVD

That's what I would like to think as well. I actually think Hunnam is a decent actor and while this role would have gained attention for him, it could very well have been for all of the wrong reasons. Also, for the one who commented that this movie and Pacific Rim don't share the same demographic, I think the OP was being sarcastic.

I hope this sets them back enough to just temporarily shelve the project and start from scratch with a new set of leads and Paul Verhoeven as the director. Admit it, he would know what he's making and run with it.

JumpCutz

Well I suppose that is better than actually reading the books.

cungar

He's German. He doesn't know men aren't supposed to admit to this.