Producers win bidding war for erotically charged novel.
Universal Pictures and Focus Features have announced that they have acquired the rights to E.L. James’ bestselling erotic novel, ‘Fifty Shades of Gray.’ Published by Vintage Books, ‘Fifty Shades of Gray’ is the explicit tale of literature student Anastasia Steele and billionaire Christian Grey.“
When Anastasia goes to interview young entrepreneur Christian, 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.”
London based author James explores the couple’s deepening relationship in the subsequent novels in the series, ‘Fifty Shades Darker’ and ‘Fifty Shades Freed.’
In a statement, Universal Pictures’ Chairman Adam Fogelson and Co-Chairman Donna Langley said:
“The ‘Fifty Shades’ Trilogy is a one-of-a-kind series of stories and we’re thrilled to be collaborating with E. L. James to bring them to the big screen,” said Fogelson and Langley. “Like so many readers all over the globe, we’ve fallen in love with ‘Fifty Shades of Grey.’ It’s a special story and working with Focus, we hope to bring audiences a film they can enjoy as much as they loved the book.”