The long-anticipated Fifty Shades of Grey film adaptation has been pushed back to a Valentine’s Day 2015 release date following complications with casting changes in the lead role of Christian Grey. However, Universal and Focus Features executives say that isn't the only reason.
Production was halted for a month to allow the production and its new lead Jamie Dornan - who famously replaced Charlie Hunnam – adequate time to prepare.
EW, who first reported the news, said that Dornan’s replacement isn’t the only reason the film is being pushed back from Aug. 1, 2014 to Valentine’s Day 2015. The push-back will avoid going head-to-head with the Chris Pratt and Benicio del Toro-starring Guardians of the Galaxy. They will also avoid other films that have been given new August release dates instead of June and July, so as not to coincide with the World Cup in Brazil.
Universal Pictures chairman Donna Langley said in a statement, “We see this movie as a global event. The strength of this book is really worldwide, so we want to be able to take advantage of women who are invariably on vacation with their families during the month of August in Europe.” She added they would’ve likely pushed back the release date if Hunnam had stayed anyway.
The film, starring Jamie Dornan and Dakota Johnson as Christian Grey and Anastasia Steele, will now come out Feb. 13, 2015, which is a 3-day weekend due to President’s Day.
image: EW