Universal have finally confirmed a screenwriter for the much anticipated FIFTY SHADES OF GREY movie, and it’s Kelly Marcel.
The writer and actor is most famous for creating and producing dinosaur romp TERRA NOVA. But it may please UK film fans to know that, as an actor, she did the rounds in THE BILL and CASUALTY. She has recently wowed Hollywood bigwigs with her script for SAVING MR BANKS, the Disney produced movie about Walt himself trying to seduce PL Travers, author of the MARY POPPINS novels, into selling him the film rights to her practically perfect creation. Details about that project can be seen here.
Its been a heated competition to become the writer, with unlikely candidates coming from all angles (much like Christian Grey himself). At one point Jim Piddock (BEST IN SHOW) was attached to pen the piece and Brett Easton Ellis threw a strop when he didn’t get the gig. We even imagined what would happen if Dr Seuss had a go (have a sneaky peek here, but beware, contains filth).
Marcel, however, is a lock, as the official statement below confirms;
‘UNIVERSAL CITY, CA, October 8, 2012—Universal Pictures and Focus Features today announced that Kelly Marcel will write the screenplay to the highly anticipated film adaptation of “Fifty Shades of Grey.” Michael De Luca and Dana Brunetti will produce the film based on E L James’ #1 bestselling book, alongside James. The announcement was made by Universal Pictures Co-Chairman, Donna Langley and Focus Features’ Chief Executive Officer, James Schamus.
Marcel wrote the 2011 Black List script, Saving Mr. Banks, the story of Walt Disney’s twenty-year pursuit of the film rights to author P.L. Travers’ novel, “Mary Poppins,” and the rocky relationship that formed between the two. The film is currently in production at Walt Disney Studios starring Tom Hanks, Emma Thompson and Colin Farrell with John Lee Hancock directing. Marcel served as the co-creator and executive producer of the Amblin/FOX-TV series Terra Nova, for which she wrote the series’ pilot episode. She will also produce The Madonnas Of Echo Park for HBO.
“Kelly’s work demonstrates her flawless structural technique and passionate commitment to emotion, humor and depth of character which is particularly visible in the celebrated screenplay for the upcoming Saving Mr. Banks,” said De Luca. “We were all taken with the depth and passion of Kelly’s engagement with the characters and world E L James has created, and we knew she was the right person to augment our Fifty Shades family,” added Brunetti.
Universal Pictures and Focus Features acquired the rights to the three books in the “Fifty Shades of Grey” trilogy in March of this year. Focus Features will market and distribute the first film in partnership with Universal. “Fifty Shades of Grey” has become a global phenomenon and the trilogy has been translated in 45 languages worldwide since its release. In the U.S. alone, the “Fifty Shades” trilogy has sold over 32 million copies in e-book and print, making it one of the fastest selling book series ever.
“Fifty Shades of Grey” follows the relationship of 27-year-old billionaire Christian Grey and college student Anastasia Steele. Subsequent novels in the series, “Fifty Shades Darker” (September 2011) and “Fifty Shades Freed” (January 2012) explore the couple’s deepening relationship. For more information please see the official Fifty Shades of Grey Facebook page: http://www.facebook.com/fiftyshadesofgreymovie.
Marcel was represented in the deal by WME and Casarotto Ramsay & Associates Limited.’
Production will be moving swiftly along now, and talk will turn to who will direct and who will star. I’m calling Anna Kendrick as Ana and as for Christian… Well, Marcel is good friends with Tom Hardy. And he already wears a kinky looking mask.
What think you, dear reader?
Source: Deadline
