Jamie Dornan Responds to Fifty Shades of Grey Criticisms About His Chemistry with Dakota Johnson

Ever since Fifty Shades of Grey stars Jamie Dornan and Dakota Johnson embarked on a press tour to promote their rabidly anticipated E.L. James adaptation, some Internet users have suggested that the romantic co-stars actually have little to no chemistry. These theorists cite a handful of somewhat awkward talk-show appearances in which both actors—who are new to being the subject of such intense public scrutiny—looked, well, awkward, uncomfortable, and not as chummy as one might expect from two people who have experienced the “Red Room of Pain” together. (Gawker even compiled a timeline of these alleged public displays of no affection.)
But now, a month after the film’s release, Dornan is responding to those criticisms. In an interview with the Daily Mail’s Baz Bamigboye, the Irish model turned actor explains, “They wouldn’t have shot the film with us if there was a chemistry problem . . . whatever chemistry means. You have to jump through a lot of hoops to get a part like this, and they simply wouldn’t have cast us.”
Dornan could have easily responded to those no-chemistry complaints by referring critics to Fifty Shades of Grey’s global box-office gross thus far: $529 million. Unsurprisingly, because of that respectable sum, both Dornan and Johnson are seeking sizable seven-figure raises for the next Fifty Shades film, confirms The Hollywood Reporter. Both actors reportedly earned $250,000 for the first film, and are hoping to make a pay jump with the next installment, much like Jennifer Lawrence did between The Hunger Games (for which she was reportedly paid $500,000) and Catching Fire (which is said to have earned her $10 million).
In the Daily Mail interview, Dornan also squashes rumors that his wife Amelia Warner does not want him starring in the sex-fueled franchise. “Total bollocks!” Dornan says of the report. “Of course she would have read the scripts well in advance, and she’s massively supportive of Fifty Shades.”