Fifty Shades of Grey, the fastest-selling book of all time, has been in the running for an adaptation for a little while now.
Needless to say, the rumours have been circulating for a while now as to who will be taking the leading roles of Anastasia Steele and Christian Grey, and now the wait is over, with author E.L. James herself announcing the casting.
Dakota Johnson will be playing the female lead as Anastasia Steele, with Charlie Hunnam starring opposite as Christian Grey.
Sam Taylor-Johnson (Nowhere Boy) was officially announced as the director back in June, and she’ll be taking the helm with a script penned by Kelly Marcel (Terra Nova, Saving Mr. Banks).
Dana Brunetti (The Social Network) and Michael De Luca (Moneyball) will be producing alongside James.
Courtesy of Amazon, here’s the synopsis for the original novel:
When literature student Anastasia Steele interviews successful entrepreneur Christian Grey, she finds him very attractive and deeply intimidating. Convinced that their meeting went badly, she tries to put him out of her mind – until he turns up at the store where she works part-time, and invites her out.
Unworldly and innocent, Ana is shocked to find she wants this man. And, when he warns her to keep her distance, it only makes her want him more.
But Grey is tormented by inner demons, and consumed by the need to control. As they embark on a passionate love affair, Ana discovers more about her own desires, as well as the dark secrets Grey keeps hidden away from public view.
Johnson recently starred as part of the ensemble cast alongside Channing Tatum and Jonah Hill in 21 Jump Street, and has a slew of very promising titles on her upcoming slate, including Need for Speed, Theo, and the modern-day adaptation of Shakespeare’s Cymbeline. Hunnam, of course, is coming off the back of his leading role in Guillermo del Toro’s Pacific Rim, and is equally well-known for his work on the small screen in Sons of Anarchy. He’s also set for John Hillcoat’s upcoming crime-drama, Triple Nine, as well as what’s set to be del Toro’s next feature, Crimson Peak.
Fifty Shades of Grey has already been set for release on August 1st, 2014 in the US, and production is expected to get underway soon.
UNIVERSAL CITY, CA, September 2, 2013 — Dakota Johnson will star as Anastasia Steele, the lead female character in Universal Pictures and Focus Features’ highly anticipated film adaptation of “Fifty Shades of Grey,” it was announced today. The film, which will be released by Focus Features on August 1, 2014 in North America, is being directed by Sam Taylor-Johnson and produced by Michael De Luca and Dana Brunetti alongside E L James, the author of the #1 bestselling book on which the film is based. The screenplay is by Kelly Marcel. The announcement about Ms. Johnson’s casting in Fifty Shades of Grey was made today by Ms. James.
Ms. Johnson’s first notable screen role was in the multi-Academy Award-winning 2010 feature The Social Network, on which Mr. De Luca and Mr. Brunetti were producers. Her subsequent movies include the upcoming feature Need for Speed, 21 Jump Street, and Universal Pictures’ The Five-Year Engagement. She also starred as Kate in the Fox Network comedy series Ben and Kate, which aired during the 2012-2013 season. Ms. Johnson is currently shooting the feature film Cymbeline.
“Fifty Shades of Grey” has become a global phenomenon and the trilogy has been translated in 50 languages worldwide since its release. To date, the “Fifty Shades” trilogy has sold over 70 million copies worldwide in e-book and print, making it one of the fastest-selling book series ever.
Universal and Focus acquired the rights to the three books in the “Fifty Shades of Grey” trilogy in March 2012. Focus Features will market and distribute the first film in partnership with Universal.
“Fifty Shades of Grey” follows the relationship of 27-year-old billionaire Christian Grey and college student Anastasia Steele. Subsequent novels in the series, “Fifty Shades Darker” and “Fifty Shades Freed,” explore the couple’s deepening relationship.
UNIVERSAL CITY, CA, September 2, 2013 — Charlie Hunnam will star as Christian Grey, the lead male character in Universal Pictures and Focus Features’ highly anticipated film adaptation of “Fifty Shades of Grey,” it was announced today. He joins Dakota Johnson, who will star opposite him as Anastasia Steele. The film, which will be released by Focus Features on August 1, 2014 in North America, is being directed by Sam Taylor-Johnson and produced by Michael De Luca and Dana Brunetti alongside E L James, the author of the #1 bestselling book on which the film is based. The screenplay is by Kelly Marcel. The announcement about Mr. Hunnam’s casting in Fifty Shades of Grey was made today by Ms. James.
Mr. Hunnam currently stars as a regular on the critically acclaimed FX series Sons of Anarchy. His feature film credits include Pacific Rim, Children of Men, Cold Mountain, and Nicholas Nickleby.
“Fifty Shades of Grey” has become a global phenomenon and the trilogy has been translated in 50 languages worldwide since its release. To date, the “Fifty Shades” trilogy has sold over 70 million copies worldwide in e-book and print, making it one of the fastest-selling book series ever.
Universal and Focus acquired the rights to the three books in the “Fifty Shades of Grey” trilogy in March 2012. Focus Features will market and distribute the first film in partnership with Universal.
“Fifty Shades of Grey” follows the relationship of 27-year-old billionaire Christian Grey and college student Anastasia Steele. Subsequent novels in the series, “Fifty Shades Darker” and “Fifty Shades Freed,” explore the couple’s deepening relationship.
