Well this is interesting: Joe Wright, known for his prestigious, visually ravishing adaptations of “Pride & Prejudice” and “Anna Karenina” has become the frontrunner for Focus Features' adaptation of insanely popular mom-porn novel “Fifty Shades of Grey.” The novel (and eventual movie) revolves around the dom-sub relationship between a twenty-something millionaire and a young college student.
The movie, which is being adapted by Kelly Marcel, has been in something of a holding pattern, with Universal and Focus putting up $5 million for the adaptation way back in early 2012. The lack of activity has created an anything-goes atmosphere, wherein “American Psycho” author Bret Easton Ellis volunteered to write the screenplay and “Good Will Hunting” director Gus Van Sant shot some unsolicited test footage with “Magic Mike” actor Alex Pettyfer playing sexually dominant millionaire Christian Grey.
According to the same report that places Wright in the frontrunner role, other filmmakers being considered include Bill Condon (“Twilight: Breaking Dawn”), Patty Jenkins (who was recently fired from “Thor 2”), and Bennett Miller (“Moneyball”). Universal executives are currently in London for the “Fast Six” premiere and are milling over options.
As far as filmmakers who could potentially help “Fifty Shades of Grey,” Wright seems like a really wonderful, interesting choice. Besides being one of the most exciting directors working today, we wonder what he could do to the material, utilizing his trademark visual panache -- might we see a sex scene composed of a single take, one that pushes the boundaries of what even an NC-17 will bear?
Should “Fifty Shades of Grey” not go forward with Wright, the filmmaker is already attached himself to an adaptation of Neil Gaiman's forthcoming novel “The Ocean at the End of the Lane.” One thing's for sure: whatever Wright ends up doing next will undoubtedly be worth getting excited about.
[via THR h/t HuffPost Ent]
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