Guy Ritchie, the British director behind Lock, Stock and Two Smoking Barrels, Snatch and the Sherlock Holmes movies, is keen to cast Fifty Shades of Grey actor Jamie Dornan in his forthcoming King Arthur movies. Ritchie wants the Irish actor to take the lead the franchise, according to The Sun.

Jamie DornanJamie Dornan plays Christian Grey in 'Fifty Shades of Grey'

Ritchie is said to have been "blown away" when he met the 32-year-old actor - which is a bit weird. The filmmaker has been trying to cast Dornan as King Arthur though it's proving difficult given the actor's commitment to three Fifty Shades of Grey movies - the first of which is released on Valentines' Day 2015. 

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Sources suggest Dornan - who rose to fame on the BBC's drama 'The Fall' - is keen on taking the role to avoid being typecast as Christian Grey. He took the role after 'Sons of Anarchy' actor Charlie Hunnam dropped out.

Guy RitchieGuy Ritchie wants Jamie Dornan for King Arthur [Getty/Anthony Harvey]

It was previously reported by Variety that  Idris Elba was in talks with Warners Bros and Village Roadshow to join King Arthur, as a Merlin-esque figure who trains and mentors Arthur himself. 

'Awake' scribe Joby Harold has penned the script and is producing with Akiva Goldsman and Tory Tunnell. Plot details are under wraps though it's believed to be a "reimagining" of the legendary tale. The movie is set for release on July 22, 2016.

The most recent retelling of the King Arthur story was the 2004 version starring Clive Owen and Keira Knightley. It was instantly forgettable. 

Watch Jamie Dornan in the 'Fifty Shades of Grey' trailer: