As much as it pains me to write this, one of the most anticipated book adaptations hitting screens in the near future – right up there with new Divergent and The Hunger Games installments – is Fifty Shades of Grey, based on a Twilight-fanfiction-turned-erotic-romance that somehow became the fastest-selling paperback of all time. Fans of the steamy book by E.L. James are likely scrutinizing the web daily for news about the adaptation, though very little has come out about the movie since it wrapped production in February. Today, however, those fans will be thrilled to get their first real look at mysterious billionaire Christian Grey (Jamie Dornan), whose BDSM-fueled romance with college student Anastasia Steele (Dakota Johnson) powers Shades and two other books.
Dornan wasn’t the first choice for the tricky role – Pacific Rim star Charlie Hunnam was originally cast but dropped out due to scheduling conflicts with FX’s Sons of Anarchy. However, from what I’ve heard about the character, Dornan certainly looks the part. And in this first image, he’s got the brooding mystery down pat.
I’m sure we’ll see more interesting shots, and hopefully ones highlighting Johnson’s Anastasia, from Fifty Shades of Grey soon enough. The movie, directed by Sam Taylor-Johnson, opens on February 13th, 2015. For now though, check out this first photo below and let us know what you think.
Fifty Shades of Grey is the hotly anticipated film adaptation of the bestselling book that has become a global phenomenon. Since its release, the “Fifty Shades” trilogy has been translated into 51 languages worldwide and sold more than 100 million copies in e-book and print—making it one of the biggest and fastest-selling book series ever.
Stepping into the roles of Christian Grey and Anastasia Steele, who have become iconic to millions of readers, are Jamie Dornan and Dakota Johnson.
Joining Dornan and Johnson in the cast are Luke Grimes as Elliot, Christian’s brother; Victor Rasuk as José, Anastasia’s close friend; Eloise Mumford as Kate, Anastasia’s best friend and roommate; Marcia Gay Harden as Dr. Grace Trevelyan Grey, Christian’s mother; Rita Ora as Mia, Christian’s sister; Max Martini as Taylor, Christian’s bodyguard; Callum Keith Rennie as Ray, Anastasia’s stepfather; Jennifer Ehle as Carla, Anastasia’s mother; and Dylan Neal as Bob, Carla’s husband.
Fifty Shades of Grey is directed by Sam Taylor-Johnson and produced by Michael De Luca and Dana Brunetti alongside E L James, the creator of the series. The screenplay for the film is by Kelly Marcel.
