One of the literary phenomenons taking the female population by storm is the EL James trilogy, Fifty Shades of Grey. The response has been so great, that Focus Features picked up the film rights for the film and are moving forward quickly on the project. There have been several different casting rumors for the actor and actress in line for the lead roles. Amanda Seyfried and Kristen Stewart are just two of the names thrown into the conversation to play the book’s lead female character, Anastasia Steele- having not read the book, I say going by the age of those two actresses they are looking for someone young and I think Elizabeth Olsen would be a solid pick for a young actress. The news now though- well rumor that is- is that Angelina Jolie was approached to direct the adaptation of the top selling book series. The rumor has been denied up and down by the studio as well as by the Jolie’s reps. Again, knowing about the book except knowledge of its racy subject matter it sounds as though a female perspective on the film could be what the adaptation needs- even if its just to keep it from being overly misogynistic and Jolie recently made her film directing debut last year with IN THE LAND OF BLOODY AND HONEY which was met with a mixed critical reaction- but at least she has experience, right?
Here’s a rundown of the plot to the books, a young college student, Anastasia Steele, develops a relationship with a 27 year old billionaire involving lots of submission, domination, S&M and bondage. The series also has two other books that delves deeper into their relationship and has largely been saddled with the term “mommy porn” by many of the people I’ve encountered talking about it.
The film rights to FIFTY SHADES OF GREY rang up to the tone of $5 million and is a series aimed primarily towards women. I don’t think that targeting Angelina Jolie specifically peaks the interest of the male demographic and I don’t really have an opinion as to what would attract men to the series. Regardless, when the film does come out you can be sure there will be men forced to see it and if nothing else, they can take solace in the fact that afterwards their significant other might be a little frisky later on- plus who knows, maybe the film might turn out to be pretty decent. Of course we won’t know for sure until a cast is in place, a director signed on, production has started, a release date set and that date passes.
Who do you think should star in and/or direct FIFTY SHADES OF GREY?
Via: THR
