Fifty Shades film finally confirms director

In further news of cinematic adaptations of novels that may entail extensive use of prosthetics, it appears that the Fifty Shades of Grey film – which feels like it’s been in production since before the books were actually written even though it still hasn’t started filming – may finally have a confirmed director. Disappointing all those who had hoped Gus Van Sant may have chased his feted ‘Death trilogy’ of Gerry, Elephant and Last Days with a petite mort trilogy, Variety is reporting that the position has been filled (fnar fnar, etc.) by Sam Taylor-Johnson, formerly Sam Taylor-Wood, celebrated visual artist turned director of John Lennon biopic Nowhere Boy and spouse of Aaron Taylor-Johnson, star of that film, Kick-Ass and Anna Karenina.

The rights to the novel are in the hands of Universal, Focus Features and producer Michael De Luca, who said of Taylor-Johnson’s appointment: ‘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. 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.’ To be blunt, it’s also kind of a relief that a story that has become, for better or worse, an emblem of sexual empowerment for a lot of women is in fact going to be brought to the screen by a woman rather than a man trying to project his own impression of what some homogenised notion of women finds sexy.

Naturally, speculation will now immediately turn to who Taylor-Johnson might cast in the lead roles and, just as naturally, most of that speculation will likely land at the door of her husband, even though at 23 he’s arguably still a few years shy of what would be required for the part of Christian Grey. Variety, however, cites sources who say ‘he may have been part of the meetings Sam Taylor-Johnson was having with Universal and Focus execs.’ Maybe he was just taking her sandwiches or something. Either way, at this rate it’ll only be a couple of months before we have to churn out another one of these posts confirming that the Fifty Shades film is still several months from completion.

Related Articles

Responses

Sign up to our Newsletter

Subscribe

* indicates required

BookMachine Ltd. will use the information you provide on this form to be in touch with you and to provide updates and marketing. Please let us know all the ways you would like to hear from us:

You can change your mind at any time by clicking the unsubscribe link in the footer of any email you receive from us, or by contacting us at [email protected]. We will treat your information with respect. For more information about our privacy practices please visit our website. By clicking below, you agree that we may process your information in accordance with these terms.

We use Mailchimp as our marketing platform. By clicking below to subscribe, you acknowledge that your information will be transferred to Mailchimp for processing. Learn more about Mailchimp’s privacy practices.