The release of "Fifty Shades of Grey," the film adaptation of E.L. James' erotic bestseller of the same title has been pushed back six months, from August 2014 to Feb.13, 2015, just in time for Valentine's Day, according to several media reports.
It was earlier revealed that the movie would be out Aug. 1, 2014. Some speculate that the 'casting debacle' might have led to the postponement, but the movie makers say that there were broader issues involved. They maintain that even if the cast had not been changed, the release would have been delayed
"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," Donna Langley, Chairman of Universal Pictures told Entertainment Weekly.
"Together with the international marketing and distribution team, we've been looking really closely at the August date and becoming more and more convinced that the right thing to do for the movie was to push it, so even if Charlie had stayed, we still would have been making the date change," Langley added.
Production on the movie is slated to begin Dec.2, 2013. While Dakota Johnson will play the innocent Anastasia Steele, Calvin Klein model, Jamie Dornan will portray the character of Christian Grey. The film will be directed by Sam Taylor-Johnson and produced by Michael De Luca.
Dornan had been in the loop since Charlie Hunnam, the previous choice for the character, pulled out of the project. Other stars like Alexander Skarsgard of "True Blood", Alex Pettyfer of "Magic Mike" and Ian Somerhalder of "The Vampire Diaries" fame were also touted as potential contenders for the role. Clearly, Dornan scored!
Dornan was chosen on the basis of his chemistry with Johnson and the two seem perfect for the role. Dornan and Johnson graced the cover of Entertainment Weekly for its November issue and also posed for some promo photos in their 'Fifty Shades' avatar, reports E! Online.
Johnson went brunette for the role and Dornan looks clean shaven and crisp. Apparently, she hit the gym for the first time in her life.
"Obviously, I want to look good naked. I totally understand now why people exercise, because it kind of f-ing feels awesome," an excited Johnson told EW.
After getting their 'movie makeover' the duo looks stunning. Check out the promo photos of Christian Grey and Anastasia Steele, here.