Fifty Shades of Grey is an upcoming American erotic/romantic drama film directed by Sam Taylor-Johnson with a screenplay by Kelly Marcel, Patrick Marber, and Mark Bomback, based on the best-selling novel of the same name by E. L. James. It is set to be released on February 13, 2015 by Michael De Luca Productions, Trigger Street Productions, Focus Features, and Universal Pictures. Charlie Hunnam and Dakota Johnson were initially cast in the leading roles of Christian Grey and Anastasia Steele, respectively, with Hunnam departing the project the following month and being replaced by Jamie Dornan.

Plot

When Anastasia “Ana” Steele, a literature student, goes to interview the wealthy Christian Grey, as a favour to her roommate Kate Kavanagh, she encounters a handsome, brilliant and intimidating man. The innocent and naive Ana, startled to realise she wants him, despite his enigmatic reserve and advice, finds herself desperate to get close to him. Not able to resist Ana’s beauty and independent spirit, Grey admits he wants her too, but in his own terms. Ana hesitates as she discovers the singular tastes of Grey – despite the embellishments of success – his multinational businesses, his vast wealth, his loving family – Grey is consumed by the need to control everything. As they get close, Steele starts to discover Grey’s secrets and explores her own desires.

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Production

By early 2012, several Hollywood studios had presented or were preparing presentations to the author and her agent to obtain film rights to the Fifty Shades trilogy. Warner Bros., Sony, Paramount and Universal, as well as Mark Wahlberg’s production company, put in bids for the film rights, with Universal Pictures and Focus Features eventually securing the rights to the trilogy in March 2012. Author James sought to retain some control during the movie’s creative process. The Social Network producers Michael De Luca and Dana Brunetti signed on to produce the film, having been hand-picked by E. L. James. Although American Psycho writer Bret Easton Ellis publicly expressed his desire to write the screenplay for the film, Kelly Marcel, screenwriter of Saving Mr. Banks, was hired for the job. Patrick Marber was brought in by Taylor-Wood to polish the screenplay, specifically to do some “character work”. Universal hired Mark Bomback for script doctoring. Mark Bridges serves as the costume designer. Entertainment Weekly estimated the film’s budget as “$40 million-or-so”.

Director

By May 9, 2013, the studio was considering Joe Wright to direct, but this proved unworkable due to Wright’s schedule. Other directors who had been under consideration included Patty Jenkins, Bill Condon, Bennett Miller, and Steven Soderbergh. In June 2013, E. L. James announced Sam Taylor-Johnson would direct the film adaptation.

Casting

James felt casting Robert Pattinson and Kristen Stewart would be “strange” and “weird”. Bret Easton Ellis stated that Pattinson had been James’ first choice for the role of Christian Grey. Ian Somerhalder and Chace Crawford had been named as expressing an interest in acting in the film as Christian. Somerhalder later admitted if he had been considered, the filming process would ultimately have conflicted with his shooting schedule for the CW series The Vampire Diaries. On September 2, 2013, author E. L. James revealed that Charlie Hunnam and Dakota Johnson had been cast as Christian Grey and Anastasia Steele. The short list of other actresses considered for the role of Anastasia included Alicia Vikander, Imogen Poots, Elizabeth Olsen, Shailene Woodley, and Felicity Jones. Keeley Hazell auditioned for an unspecified role. Lucy Hale also auditioned for the film.

The studio originally wanted Ryan Gosling for Christian, but he was not interested in the role. Garrett Hedlund was also considered, but he could not connect with the character. Stephen Amell said he would not have wanted to play the role of Grey because “I actually didn’t find him to be that interesting … Nothing about Christian Grey really spoke to me.” Hunnam initially turned down the role of Christian but later reconsidered it following a meeting with studio heads. Hunnam said of the audition process: “I felt really intrigued and excited about it so I went and read the first book to get a clearer idea of who this character was, and I felt even more excited at the prospect of bringing him to life. We [Taylor-Johnson and I] kind of both suggested I do a reading with Dakota, who was her favorite, and as soon as we got in the room and I started reading with Dakota I knew that I definitely wanted to do it. There’s just like a tangible chemistry between us. It felt exciting and fun and weird and compelling.” In response to the negative fan reaction the casting drew, producer Dana Brunetti said: “There is a lot that goes into casting that isn’t just looks. Talent, availability, their desire to do it, chemistry with other actor, etc. So if your favorite wasn’t cast, then it is most likely due to something on that list. Keep that in mind while hating and keep perspective.”

In October 2013, actress Jennifer Ehle was in talks for the role of Anastasia’s mother Carla. On October 12, 2013, Universal Pictures announced that Hunnam had exited the film due to conflicts with the schedule of his FX series Sons of Anarchy. Alexander Skarsgard, Jamie Dornan, Theo James, François Arnaud, Scott Eastwood, Luke Bracey and Billy Magnussen were at the top of the list to replace Hunnam as Christian Grey. Finally, on October 23, 2013, Jamie Dornan was cast as Christian Grey. On October 31, 2013, Victor Rasuk was cast as José Rodriguez, Jr. On November 22, 2013 Eloise Mumford was cast as Kate Kavanagh. On December 2, 2013 singer Rita Ora was cast as Christian’s younger sister Mia. Ora originally wanted to work on the soundtrack. On December 3, 2013, Marcia Gay Harden was cast as Christian’s mother, Grace.

Filming

In September, filming was scheduled to start on November 5, 2013 in Vancouver, British Columbia. The following month, producer Michael De Luca announced filming would begin on November 13, 2013. Principal photography was again delayed and eventually started on December 1, 2013. Scenes were filmed in the Gastown district of Vancouver. Bentall 5 was used as the Grey Enterprises building. The University of British Columbia serves as Washington State University Vancouver, from which Ana graduates. The Fairmont Hotel Vancouver was used as the Heathman Hotel. The film was also shot at the North Shore Studios. The production officially ended on February 21, 2014. Reshoots involving scenes between Dornan and Johnson took place in Vancouver during the week of October 13th.