It may not be the official casting news that we've been waiting for, but at least it's a step in the right direction. Although nothing is set in stone, it looks like we might have our director for the "50 Shades of Grey" film. Finally.
"Anna Karenina" director Joe Wright is now the top choice to direct the "50 Shades" movie, according to various sources. Wright has a long-standing relationship with Focus and Universal, which are heading the project. They purchased the movie rights for $5 million and are hoping to begin production on the first film in summer 2014. Wright has made four films with Focus, all of which proved successful. The four films are "Anna Karenina," "Hanna," "Atonement" and "Pride & Prejudice."
There's still no official word from the "50 Shades'" team, as Universal and Wright's representatives at CAA have declined to comment. Although most fans are more concerned with who will play the steamy roles of Anastasia Steele and Christian Grey, it's still reassuring to see that progress has been made. Since James and Universal announced their plans to adapt the S&M novel into a full-length feature, they have yet to make any moves towards production, despite the desperate cries of tortured fans.
For months, fans have been relentlessly speculating as to who will play the coveted leading roles. Christian fan favorites include Ian Somerhalder, Matt Bomer and Stephen Amell, who apparently backed out of contention earlier this week. Alexis Bledel, Emilia Clarke and Nina Dobrev top fan polls for Anastasia. Whoever is chosen, they better be ready for some onscreen nudity and... well, you get the gist.
The movie is still a long ways off, but that won't stop fans from obsessing over the pieces of the "50 Shades of Grey" puzzle. A potential director is a giant step in the right direction, but there's still a long road ahead.
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