British director of Nowhere Boy is unexpected choice for film adaptation of EL James's bestselling erotic novel
Britain's Sam Taylor-Johnson has been named as the surprise choice to direct the forthcoming big-screen adaptation of "mommy porn" literary sensation Fifty Shades of Grey.
The artist turned film-maker, whose only feature film to date is the highly acclaimed 2009 John Lennon biopic Nowhere Boy, was named by author EL James on Twitter last night. She wrote: "I'm delighted & thrilled to let you guys know that Sam Taylor-Johnson has agreed to direct the film of Fifty Shades of Grey."
The appointment was confirmed by producer Michael De Luca in a statement. "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," he said. "EL James's 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."
Taylor-Johnson has not previously been named in connection with the high-profile big-screen adaptation of James's infamous knee-trembler, which has sold more than 40m copies worldwide. Joe Wright, the acclaimed British director of Atonement, Pride & Prejudice and Anna Karenina, was reported to be studio Universal's first choice in May. Producers were said to be targeting mainly arthouse film-makers, with Capote's Bennett Miller and Monster's Patty Jenkins also considered, according to the Hollywood Reporter. Another Brit, TV screenwriter Kelly Marcel, was named in October last year as the film's screenwriter, despite a fiercely public campaign by author and occasional film-maker Bret Easton Ellis.
"I am excited to be charged with the evolution of Fifty Shades of Grey from page to screen," said Taylor-Johnson in a statement. "For the legions of fans, I want to say that I will honour the power of Erika's book and the characters of Christian and Anastasia. They are under my skin too."
Fifty Shades of Grey centres on a rich businessman, Christian Grey, who recruits a young virgin, Anastasia Steel, to be his well-remunerated sex slave. There has been furious speculation over who might play the kinky business magnate and his paramour, though casting details have stubbornly refused to emerge. Taylor-Johnson's appointment as director will likely fuel speculation that her husband Aaron Johnson, the star of Nowhere Boy and Kick-Ass, might now be a frontrunner to play Christian.
via Books: Fiction | guardian.co.uk
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