Joining the round table: Charlie Hunnam cast to portray legendary King Arthur in multi-film series directed by Guy Ritchie



Charlie Hunnam will pull the sword from the stone after being tapped to portray legendary King Arthur.

The 34-year-old English actor was the choice of English director Guy Ritchie for his multi-film version of the King Arthur legend, according to a report on Wednesday by Deadline.com.

Ritchie, 45, was picked by Warner Brothers to direct the film series that will debut with its first installment on July 22, 2016.

New role: Charlie Hunnam, shown filming Sons Of Anarchy earlier this month in Los Angeles, has been cast to play King Arthur

Hunnam has been lauded for his work on Sons Of Anarchy and was cast to play Christian Grey in Fifty Shades Of Grey before passing on the project.

The King Arthur project also has cast British actor Idris Elba, 41, to portray Merlin.



Elizabeth Olsen also was being considered as the frontrunner for the female lead.

Arthurian legend: Nigel Terry is shown portraying King Arthur in the 1981 film Excalibur

Hunnam recently read for the chivalrous part along with Henry Cavill and Jai Courtney.

The Arthurian legend was retold in the 1981 film Excalibur that starred Nigel Terry as King Arthur.

The film also starred Helen Mirren as Morgana Le Fay, Nicol Williamson as Merlin and Patrick Stewart as King Leondegrance.

Multiple films: Guy Ritchie, shown earlier this month in London, was picked by Warner Brothers to direct a multi-film version of the King Arthur legend

Key role: Idris Elba, shown earlier this week in Beverly Hills, has been tapped to play Merlin in the project

Disney also released the 2004 film King Arthur that starred Clive Owen as the title character, Ioan Gruffudd as Lancelot and Keira Knightley as Guinevere.

Hunnam has been portraying motorcycle gang leader Jax Teller on the hit FX show Sons Of Anarchy.

The show's seventh and final season will begin airing on September 9.