The release of the big-screen adaptation of Fifty Shades of Grey has been postponed until 2015.

The film had been scheduled to open in August next year, but Universal Pictures announced that it will now make its debut on Valentine's Day 2015.

The production has not gone according to plan. "Sons of Anarchy" star Charlie Hunnam dropped out of the project shortly after his high-profile casting as billionaire Christian Grey.

Jamie Dornan replaced him, and the start of production was pushed from November to December.

A Valentine's Day release is fitting for the erotic romance, but it also moves the film out of the lucrative summer movie-going months. February is often a dumping ground for Hollywood's less prestigious releases.

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