In early concept art for Fifty Shades Freed, Christian Grey was set to have a tattoo. A phoenix—etched across his shoulder blade—symbolizing control, pain, and rebirth.
But when Jamie Dornan saw the design, he pushed back. Hard.
“I thought it was too much,” he later said. “Christian doesn’t wear his trauma on his body. He keeps it locked away. That’s who he is.”
The director and producers debated. Some loved the symbolism. Others feared it felt out of character. The decision was postponed until two days before the scene was to be filmed.
Ultimately, Dornan won. The tattoo was scrapped. But in a quiet compromise, a barely visible scar was added to Christian’s torso—a nod to his past, subtle enough to be missed.
Fans never knew. But behind that decision was a creative struggle to protect the integrity of a character who revealed just enough—but never too much.
