Tag Archives: Universal Pictures

Fifty Shades of Grey Author E L James Announces Screenwriter

Posted on by
9

Please welcome the newest member of Team Fifty — Kelly Marcel!

E L James announced the news view Twitter:

Hi guys, I’m thrilled to announce we have a screenwriter for Fifty Shades of Grey. Details here: http://www.facebook.com/fiftyshadesofgreymovie …

Below is an excerpt from the official Fifty Shades of Grey The Movie Facebook Page:

Universal Pictures and Focus Features today announced that Kelly Marcel will write the screenplay to the highly anticipated film adaptation of “Fifty Shades of Grey.”  Michael De Luca and Dana Brunetti will produce the film based on E L James’ #1 Bestselling book, alongside James.  The announcement was made by Universal Pictures Co-Chairman, Donna Langley and Focus Features’ Chief Executive Officer, James Schamus.

Marcel wrote the 2011 Black List script, Saving Mr. Banks, the story of Walt Disney’s twenty-year pursuit of the film rights to author P.L. Travers’ novel, “Mary Poppins,” and the rocky relationship that formed between the two.  The film is currently in production at Walt Disney Studios starring Tom Hanks, Emma Thompson and Colin Farrell with John Lee Hancock directing.  Marcel served as the co-creator and executive producer of the Amblin/FOX-TV series Terra Nova, for which she wrote the series’ pilot episode.  She will also produce The Madonnas Of Echo Park for HBO.

“Kelly’s work demonstrates her flawless structural technique and passionate commitment to emotion, humor and depth of character which is particularly visible in the celebrated screenplay for the upcoming Saving Mr. Banks,” said De Luca.  “We were all taken with the depth and passion of Kelley’s engagement with the characters and world E L James has created and we knew she was the right person to augment our Fifty Shades family,” added Brunetti.

To read the entire article, please go here: http://www.facebook.com/fiftyshadesofgreymovie

This is a huge step in the movie adaptation process. Congratulations to Team Fifty and to Kelly Marcel!

Fifty Shades Rumors: True or False?

Posted on by
8

#TeamFifty consists of @E_L_James @UniversalPics @FocusFeatures @MichaelDe_Luca and @DanaBrunetti.

TRUE.

As the producers have tweeted, meetings have been taking place with screenwriters. We would imagine they are close to making an announcement. However, both a screenwriter and a director need to be added to the team before official casting can begin according to producers Michael DeLuca and Dana Brunetti.

**********

A fourth book, told from a much anticipated Christian’s point of view, is on the way. 

FALSE.

Author @E_L_James continues to graciously answer this question for #FSoG fans. Her mantra remains “Never say never.” But for now, the answer is no.

**********

There is an official Fifty Shades Magazine.

FALSE.

The magazine on stands now is unofficial and unauthorized. While we love that some of our twitter tweeps are mentioned in it, and deservedly so, statements like “BOOK 4 ON THE WAY!” are not coming from Team Fifty.

**********

@fiftyshadesUK announced the sale of a limited edition hardback set of the Fifty Shades trilogy in the UK, and it will soon be available in the US.

TRUE.

According to the author’s agent, there is a plan to make this happen. We should have details very soon!

**********

Tweets regarding casting.

Bret Easton Ellis ‏@BretEastonEllis
Just got inside information that James Deen is actually in the running to play Christian in “Fifty Shades of Grey” with E.L. James support.

Bret Easton Ellis ‏@BretEastonEllis
“Fifty Shades of Grey” will be budgeted at 12-15 million and James Deen is on the list of actors to play Christian Grey according to source.

FALSE.

Michelle Brown @Michjan
@E_L_James Morning, for the fifty shades of grey movie is James Deen really gonna play Christian? I’m sorry but he doesn’t suit the part.

E L James @E_L_James
@Michjan News to me!!!

Michelle Brown @Michjan
@E_L_James I just saw that he had ur support to play the part of Christian but he’s not what u described in ur book. He’s not Christian.

E L James @E_L_James
@Michjan It’s just a rumour and it’s not true.

scarlett @gbcaramia
@BretEastonEllis @DarlasDesigns @E_L_James “James Deen is actually in the running to play Christian..” ARE U KIDDING ME? If so, I’m done.

E L James @E_L_James
@gbcaramia News to me… (sighs) @DarlasDesigns

**********

Tweet regarding #FSoG screenwriter, budget, and casting Ana.

Bret Easton Ellis ‏@BretEastonEllis
Fifty Shades of Grey movie will DEFINITELY be written by a woman and the budget will be below 15 million. Ana will be played by an unknown.

GREY AREAS.

There’s a 50/50 chance the screenwriter will end up being a woman ;)

No word on the budget, nor would we be the ones to have that information.

Pretty sure it goes without saying that casting has not begun, not that we are opposed to an unknown being cast.

**********

Robert Pattinson will not be considered for the role of Christian Grey.

FALSE.

linda severdija ‏@lindas106
@karrobertson @latersbaby5050 the sad part @E_L_James does not want Rob to play Christian and it’s quite upsetting @FiftyShadesFilm

FiftyShadesFilm ‏@FiftyShadesFilm
@lindas106 No @E_L_James didn’t say that and has repeatedly said that was a misquote. @LatersBaby5050 @karrobertson
Retweeted by E L James

The bottom line is that no one has been ruled out because…say it with us now…it’s too early for casting ;)

**********

@Noghar, husband of @E_L_James, has a new book (Crusher) available for presale. He discusses it and the fifty shades that now color their lives in a new article for The Guardian. 

TRUE.

Please see our previous post for complete details :)

**********

We will continue to bring you official news as soon as it becomes available.

TRUE.

We love the #FSoG fandom and are happy you spend time with us. Don’t forget that you can sign up for email alerts of future posts, as well as follow us on the social media outlets listed on our sidebar.

Fifty Shades Back In Hollywood!

Posted on by
20

With author E L James and her agent, Valerie Hoskins (Valerie Hoskins Associates), back in the U.S. this week, we are anxiously awaiting news on the next step in the movie process, which will most likely be the selection of a producer.

In the meantime, like many of you, we have been following the tweets of writer/producer/director (American Psycho) Bret Easton Ellis since he first said the following:

Bret Easton EllisBret Easton Ellis‏@BretEastonEllis

I’m putting myself out there to write the movie adaptation of “Fifty Shades of Grey”…
…
We love to hear anyone in the industry expressing interest over the story! We thought this was particularly interesting because many fans have suggested Christian Bale would give a great portrayal of Christian Grey based on his performance as Patrick Bateman in American Psycho.
…
He went on to divulge in tweets that he had notified his team about making a pitch this week. The fan response seems to be divided, however, with some fans expressing that the screenplay should be written by a woman. There has been an outcry over the actors and actresses he voiced he could imagine in the roles of Christian and Ana, especially when he ruled out fan favorite Ian Somerhalder (The Vampire Diaries). He has since tweeted that he would be contacting Ian.
…
We here at FStM aren’t worried, though. We realize these were just his initial suggestions before a potential meeting with Ms. James, who we also know has her own picks in mind. (Information she is withholding even from her own mother!)
…
As always, we are confident Ms. James will make her final selection for a screenwriter based on who is willing to be true to her vision of the movie, just as she did when she chose Universal Pictures and Focus Features to award the movie rights to. Per this article with Deadline.com, Ms. Hoskins said the movie “needs to be classy, sexy rather than full of sex” and they are seeking people to work with who have an understanding that this is meant to be a collaborative effort.
…
So who would you like to see adapt the screenplay? Would you prefer a woman for the task?
…

Fifty Shades Movie Deal Secured

Posted on by
6

After a long weekend of several studios pitching their ideas to the author in an attempt to win her over for the rights to the Fifty Shades film, on Monday, March 26, 2012, Deadline.com reported that Ms. James had selected Universal Pictures and Focus Features.

In an interview with Valerie Hoskins, the author’s agent, she explained what led to their studio choice.

“I sent out a term sheet of what we wanted, and the priority was that somebody came back with something that was truly collaborative, rather than, we are going to buy your book and take it away from you. All of the offers fulfilled that to a degree, but the Universal offer fulfilled it 100%, and it was done with a sense of quiet confidence. We felt very safe, that what we were being offered would be backed up by the fine print. “

-You can read the entire Deadline.com article here.

In a subsequent interview with EW.com, it was revealed that though the movie rights had been sold, Ms. James will maintain a role in the development of the movie every step of the way, including approving the script and cast.

While Universal is the more well-known name involved, just as a point of reference, we want to mention some of the movies that Focus Features has been involved with the distribution and/or production of according to imdb.com: Lost in Translation, Vanity Fair, Jane Eyre, One Day, Atonement, Pirate Radio, The Pianist, Pride & Prejudice (2005), and Something New.

It seems both the author and her agent were satisfied with their decision.

Were you surprised by the choice they made? Are any of your favorite movies associated with Universal or Focus Features?