Surprise choice for screenwriter of film version of 50 Shades of Grey.
The little-known writer behind the US science fiction series Terra Nova has been hired by Universal Studios to write the film script of the year’s most popular novel, 50 Shades of Grey.
Kelly Marcel, a 38 year old English woman, was announced as the screenwriter by the novel’s author, EL James on Twitter earlier in the week. Marcel also wrote Tom Hanks’ upcoming Walt Disney movie, Saving Mr Banks. The fact that she got the gig to write the screenplay of the raunchy novel is a surprise to most in the film industry.
Universal Studios bought the film rights for $5 million in March and also appointed Michael De Luca and Dana Brunetti, the creators of The Social Network, as the film’s producers.
“Kelly’s work demonstrates her flawless structural technique and passionate commitment to emotion, humour and depth of character,” said De Luca. “This is particularly visible in the screenplay for Saving Mr Banks.”
Marcel’s new assignment will be tough. Not only will she have to satisfy the hordes of fans of the novel, but she will also have to make the dialogue of the book seem believable as well as ensure the film is able to pass the censors even at an R rating.
Fifty Shades of Grey has proven to be the fastest-selling paperback of all time.
Brunetti said the next appointment will be the film’s Director, followed by the cast. Early favourites for the lead roles include Emma Watson, Mila Kunis or Kristen Stewart as Anastasia Steele and Jake Gyllenhaal, Robert Pattison, Ian Somerhalder and Alexander Skarsgard as billionaire businessman, Christian Grey.
Question:
-
Who would you choose to play the part of Christian Grey or Anastasia Steele? Let us know!