Focus Feature’s big screen adaptation of the steamy fanfic “Fifty Shades of Grey” — which has been playing Hurry Up and Wait since it was announced last year — has received another spanking, as star Charlie Hunnam (“Sons of Anarchy”) stared backed out at the last minute. With Dakota Johnson still onboard to play the submissive Anastasia Steele, the studio is now frantically searching for a Hollywood stud to pick up the riding crop as Christian Grey. Will Alexander Skarsgard fit the bill? Will the film be delayed? Don;t leave us witing in anticipation…
As for the rest of this week’s list…
October 16, 2013
1. “Fifty Shades of Grey” (Last week: Not ranked)
They’re looking for someone to play Christian Grey — know anyone?
2. “Gravity” (Last week: No. 1)
The acclaimed space thriller topped the box office again after landing another $44 million, while the Tom Hanks drama “Captain Phillips” debuted at No. 2 with a solid $26 million. Will they face off again at the Oscars?
3. “Jurassic World” (Last week: Not ranked)
Ty Simpkins (the little guy in “Iron Man 3”) has joined the fourth “Jurassic Park” film, while Bryce Dallas Howard and “New Girl’s” Jake Johnson are rumored to be in the mix.
4. “Fantastic Four” (Last week: No. 5)
Will “Game of Thrones” star Kit Harrington make the journey from The Wall to the Baxter Building? Will Saoirse Ronan or Kate Mara (“House of Cards”) play Sue Storm? Will Michael B. Jordan still heat things up as The Human Torch? So many questions.
5. “Avatar” (Last week: Not ranked)
So, it turns out that the franchise’s lush alien world of Pandora is just in Orlando. At least, it will be in 2017, just in time for the first of three James Cameron-directed sequels.
6. “Star Wars: Episode VII” (Last week: Not ranked)
Make up your mind, dude. Harrison Ford is now saying he’s “not quite made the choice” to return as Han Solo in J.J. Abrams’ upcoming sequel. However, he did say he’d love to reprise his other signature role as Indiana Jones. You win some, you lose some.
7. “X-Men: Days of Future Past” (Last week: Not ranked)
The rumor mill went into overdrive this week when it was reported that the latest mutant movie would be screened in 48 fps, just like “The Hobbit.” Director Bryan Singer has denied it, so fans will have to settle for watching Hugh Jackman, Jennifer Lawrence, and the rest of the gang in plain ol’ 3D.
8. “Nymphomaniac” (Last week: Not Listed)
A series of new character posters show that the actors of Lars von Trier’s latest controversy-on-film had a really good time on set. Check out the O-faces of Shia Labeouf, Uma Thurman, Willem Dafoe, and more. Warning: They cannot be unseen.
9. “The Fifth Estate” (Last week: Not Listed)
The Julian Assange biopic has been receiving mixed reviews, but there’s one person who’s definitely not a fan: Julian Assange himself. The Wikileaks founder penned a public letter to star Benedict Cumberbatch, saying that he “does not believe this is a good film.” Ouch.
10. “Untitled Michael Bay Horror Movie” (Last week: Not Listed)
Michael Bay is best-known for directing such mega-action films as “Transformers” and “Armageddon,” but he’s also produced remakes of “The Texas Chainsaw Massacre” and “A Nightmare on Elm Street.” Now he wants to direct a horror movie.
Check out the previous edition here. What do you think of this week’s rankings? Share your thoughts below. Or tweet your thoughts with the hashtag #moviepowerrankings and tell us who you want to see in next week’s edition.