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Bret Easton Ellis Wants to Adapt 'Fifty Shades of Grey' for Universal

by Ben Pearson
June 11, 2012
Source: THR

Chances are pretty good you've heard of Fifty Shades of Grey by now, and maybe you've even read a quick passage at a bookstore or an airport. The kinky erotic novels about a young female journalist and her S&M relationship with a billionaire began as Twilight fan fiction and have nearly reached Twilight levels of fervor among female readers, so Universal is teaming with Focus Features to bring the steamy action to the big screen. Now, THR reports that American Psycho writer Bret Easton Ellis is interested in writing the screenplay, and his team is actually meeting with the studio this week to discuss the possibility. Read on!

Last week, there was a rumor that Angelina Jolie was in talks for the director's chair, and this would have been her second feature after last year's In the Land of Blood and Honey. Turns out those talks were barely more than discussion at a party, so don't hold your breath for Jolie to take on this project. But if the controversial writer Easton Ellis has his way, who would he choose as the director?

He says David Cronenberg would be the perfect fit behind the camera, and he pegs Alexander Skarsgard for the role of Christian Grey. He also pointed to Scarlett Johansson and Kristen Stewart as possibilities for Anastasia Steele, but keep in mind this is basically just fantasy casting on his part since he hasn't secured the job yet. (And even if he did get the gig, he likely wouldn't have that great an impact on casting.) Still, for those who have read the books, it's gotta be fun to imagine who will end up being involved with the upcoming movie. The subject matter here actually seems well-suited to Easton Ellis' strengths, and with Focus Features doing the distribution and marketing, maybe they'll take a chance. Thoughts?

Filed under Development, Movie News

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