More Trouble for '50 Shades'

Remember when the biggest issue plaguing the film adaptation of Fifty Shades of Grey was simply the fact that there was going to be a film adaptation of Fifty Shades of Grey? Since pre-production began just a few short months ago, the movie's faced trouble after trouble, from salary negotiations to script doctors to Charlie Hunnam's sudden exit. Just five days after the latest controversy came in the form of Jamie Dornan being cast as Hunnam's replacement, it's been announced that Fifty Shades of Grey 's production start date has been pushed back a month, from early November to Dec. 2.

The delay stems from the last-minute casting change, and could likely have an effect on the film's scheduled release date, now set for Aug. 1, 2014. That's only nine months away, a relatively short time frame for a movie to get filmed, edited, marketed, and released to audiences.

The pressure is on for 50 Shades (as if it wasn't before), and it's a safe bet that all involved are majorly freaked out. Fans already have high expectations for the film adaptation of E.L. James' bestselling novel, and if the movie doesn't make its summer release date — or if it's just bad — there's going to be major repercussions.

Right now it seems unimaginable that the two remaining books in James' series won't be adapted to films as well, but if Shades bombs, no studio is going to want to take the risk of producing its sequels. Fans of the series better hope that the pushed-back start date is the last trouble the movie faces before it hits theaters, but we wouldn't hold our breath.