It is being reported Joe Wright (Atonement, Pride & Prejudice) is the front runner to direct the feature film adaptation of E.L. James’ erotic romance novel Fifty Shades of Grey at Focus Features.
Wright tops a list, which apparently included Bennett Miller (Moneyball), Patty Jenkins (Monster) and Gus Van Sant (Milk), the latter of which shot a sex scene featuring Alex Pettyfer in a bid to direct the erotic thriller.
“Fifty Shades of Grey” began as coveted “Twilight” fan fiction and follows the relationship of 27-year-old billionaire Christian Grey and college student Anastasia Steele. It was reported the scene Van Sant shot was the moment Anastasia loses her virginity to Grey.
As for Wright, four of his five feature films have been distributed by Focus and three of those four have also featured Keira Knightley, which is sure to spark immediate speculation as to whether or not the actress will once again reunite with her Anna Karenina helmer.
The Wrap‘s Jeff Sneider adds to his report that producers Michael De Luca and Dana Brunetti favor British director Wright.
Here’s the synopsis for the book, which you can order from Amazon [amazon asin=”0345803485″ text=”right here”].
When literature student Anastasia Steele goes to interview young entrepreneur Christian Grey, she encounters a man who is beautiful, brilliant, and intimidating. The unworldly, innocent Ana is startled to realize she wants this man and, despite his enigmatic reserve, finds she is desperate to get close to him. Unable to resist Ana’s quiet beauty, wit, and independent spirit, Grey admits he wants her, too—but on his own terms.
Shocked yet thrilled by Grey’s singular erotic tastes, Ana hesitates. For all the trappings of success—his multinational businesses, his vast wealth, his loving family—Grey is a man tormented by demons and consumed by the need to control. When the couple embarks on a daring, passionately physical affair, Ana discovers Christian Grey’s secrets and explores her own dark desires.
Erotic, amusing, and deeply moving, the Fifty Shades Trilogy is a tale that will obsess you, possess you, and stay with you forever.
