Fifty Shades of Grey

[MacGuffin]

'50 Shades of Grey' Flirts With Director Joe Wright
Source: Variety

After a lengthy search, Universal and Focus Features seem to be closer to starting production on their much-anticipated adaptation of "Fifty Shades of Grey."

Several sources tell Variety that while no deal is in place, Joe Wright is the choice to helm the feature adaptation of the E.L. James tome.

Though some reports say Wright has not won the job, one insider very close to the production says he is the man.

Universal had no comment.

U, Focus and producers Michael De Luca and Dana Brunetti had been on the hunt for some time looking for a director who could bring prestige and class to a book described by many as "mommy porn."

The other directors considered for the job included "Monster" helmer Patty Jenkins, Bill Condon, Bennett Miller and Gus Van Sant. Sources even said Steven Soderbergh was considered for the gig before eventually deciding on Wright.

Though Kelly Marcell is still working on the script and Wright's deal has to be negotiated, this move now allows them to focus on the next important of casting the parts of Christian Grey and Anastasia Steele.

Wright is repped by CAA and most recently helm "Anna Karenina," which was also distributed by Focus. Given his relationship with the studio on films like "Atonement" and "Pride and Prejudice" and his direction and handling of young actresses, move seems like the right choice.

[polkablues]

Joe Wright, you're so much better than this.

[Sleepless]

I just saw this on Variety. Shit. My first thought was "Joe Wright, nooo." Then I realized that if he does actually direct this I'm probably going to watch it. Shit.

[©brad]

Oh for the love of fuck. I just want this to go away.

[jenkins]

gusssssss

[Kellen]

Booooo 

[Lottery]

Hahaha.

[MacGuffin]

No Go On Joe Wright And '50 Shades Of Grey'
BY MIKE FLEMING JR | Deadline

Forget the trade reports that Joe Wright will be director of Fifty Shades Of Grey. His schedule doesn't work and he's completely out of the mix, I've learned. The process of choosing a director for the global blockbuster book has just begun, and all Universal can hope is that audiences get as hot and bothered when the film is released, as journos are in spinning rumors based on little more than preliminary conversations.

[Sleepless]

Well thank fuck for that.

[MacGuffin]

Sam Taylor-Johnson to Direct '50 Shades of Grey'
Source: Variety

"Nowhere Boy" helmer Sam Taylor-Johnson has been tapped to direct the Universal and Focus adaptation of "Fifty Shades of Grey," the studio announced Wednesday.

Michael De Luca is producing and Kelly Marcel penned the script.

"Sam's unique ability to gracefully showcase complex relationships dealing with love, emotion and sexual chemistry make her the ideal director to bring Christian and Anastasia's relationship to life," said De Luca.   "E L James' characters and vivid storytelling require a director who is willing to take risks and push the envelope where needed and Sam is a natural fit."

The E.L James book follows the relationship of 27-year-old billionaire Christian Grey and college student Anastasia Steele.

Several directors had been in the mix including Joe Wright and Gus Van Zant and this choice comes as a surprise given that Johnson is being given a property that is so important to the studio even though she doesn't have to much commercial films under belt.

The next question is whether her husband, "Kick-Ass" star Aaron Taylor-Johnson, is in line for the role of Christian Grey. Casting meetings haven't even begun yet for the Grey role and Johnson is a little young for the part (he's 23) but sources say he may have been part of those meetings Sam Taylor-Johnson was having with Uni and Focus execs.

Aaron will star next in Universal's "Kick-Ass 2″ and was at one point considered for the lead role in another high priority project at Universal "Unbroken" that Angelina Jolie is directing. Everyone will just have to wait in see if Uni goes this route or takes another path.

[Jeremy Blackman]

she doesn't have to much commercial films under belt

[polkablues]

The next question is whether her husband, "Kick-Ass" star Aaron Taylor-Johnson, is in line for the role of Christian Grey.

Of course he fucking is. This whole production is exactly the sort of weird elaborate metasexual circle jerk I just assume these two get off on.

[MacGuffin]

Charlie Hunnam to Play Christian Grey in 'Fifty Shades of Grey'
The "Sons of Anarchy" actor joins Dakota Johnson in the highly anticipated adaptation of EL James' novel.
Source: THR

Moments after announcing Dakota Johnson as the lead actress in the upcoming Fifty Shades of Grey adaptation, author EL James dropped another casting bombshell: Sons of Anarchy's Charlie Hunnam will play Christian Grey.

"The gorgeous and talented Charlie Hunnam will be Christian Grey in the film adaptation of Fifty Shades of Grey," she wrote.

Hunnam currently stars as a series regular on the hit FX biker drama, which returns for its sixth season on Sept. 10. His film credits include Pacific Rim, Children of Men, Cold Mountain, Nicholas Nickelby and Green Street Hooligans.

Fifty Shades of Grey will be released by Focus Features on Aug. 1, 2014, in North America.
The announcement rounds out the major casting for the highly anticipated project, which is being directed by Sam Taylor-Johnson and produced by Michael De Luca and Dana Brunetti alongside author James. Kelly Marcel wrote the screenplay.

Fifty Shades follows college student Anastasia Steele (Johnson) as she begins a racy relationship with the 27-year-old billionaire, Grey.

[MacGuffin]

Jamie Dornan Will Play Christian Grey in 'Fifty Shades of Grey' (EXCLUSIVE)
'Once Upon a Time' actor replaces Charlie Hunnam in adaptation of sexy bestseller
Source: Variety

Northern Irish actor Jamie Dornan has been tapped to replace Charlie Hunnam as Christian Grey in the Universal and Focus adaptation of "Fifty Shades of Grey."

Dornan plays Sheriff Graham Humbert in ABC series "Once Upon a Time"; he's also played a serial killer in BBC Two crime drama "The Fall," and he appeared in Sofia Coppola's "Marie Antoinette." The 31-year-old thesp performs in an Irish folk duo and has modeled for Calvin Klein, Christian Dior and Armani. His modeling experience may be useful, as the part will require him to act in explicitly sexual scenes.

Dakota Johnson will co-star as Anastasia Steele, with Sam Taylor-Johnson on board to direct.

Universal and Focus Features declined to comment.

The project was hit with a huge curveball when Hunnam departed after being attached for just a month. Universal said Hunnam's exit was due to scheduling issues with "Sons of Anarchy" and upcoming movie "Crimson Peak," but some sources said battles over a rewrite and the actor's doubts about the role may have played a part in his decision.

When Hunnam exited, U and Focus execs decided to go for more of a discovery and brought in Dornan and Billy Magnussen to test with Johnson last Friday. Though the studio considered bringing in more actors to test, as of Wednesday morning sources said no one else had been brought in.

Universal will now work quickly to land thesps for the remaining supporting roles that include Steele's roommate Kate, a role for which U had already been testing actresses prior to Hunnam's exit.

Michael De Luca is on to produce the adaptation of E.L. James' sexy bestseller, which is set to bow Aug. 1, 2014.

Dornan is repped by UTA and United Agents.

[MacGuffin]