Sam Taylor-Johnson to Direct 50 Shades of Grey Movie, Release Date Set

Posted on June 27, 2013

Universal Pictures and Focus Features announced that they have hired a director for the much-anticipated film version of the bestseller Fifty Shades of Grey by E.L. James. The film will be directed by a female director, Sam Taylor-Johnson. Universal Pictures Co-Chairman, Donna Langley, announced the deal. Summit has also set a release date for the film of August 1, 2014. The screenplay was written by Kelly Marcel with the help of E.L. James. Michael De Luca, Dana Brunetti and E.L. James are producing the film.

Taylor-Johnson directed Nowhere Boy, which told the story of John Lennon's childhood in Liverpool and his meeting with Paul McCartney. The film was very well-received, racking up two BAFTA nominations, one for Outstanding British Film and one for Outstanding Debut by a British Writer, Director or Producer. She also directed the Palme D'Or-nominated short film Love You More.

Taylor-Johnson had this to say about directing the anticipated book to film adaptation: "I am excited to be charged with the evolution of Fifty Shades of Grey from page to screen. For the legions of fans, I want to say that I will honor the power of Erika's book and the characters of Christian and Anastasia. They are under my skin too."

No casting news has been announced, but Robert Pattinson invited author E. L. James to a party at his house this past weekend. Make of that what you will.