From literature to screenplay, the best-seller’s movie potential is highly anticipated
Sex, bondage and submission: the trilogy that seduced millions around the world. In March 2011, E.L. James released millions of copies worldwide of Fifty Shades of Grey.
The book, an erotic romance novel, takes place between a college graduate, Anastasia Steele and a business mogul, Christian Grey. Through lewd sexual acts such as bondage/discipline, dominance/submission, and sadism/masochism, the novel is quick to be categorized as porn.
Michelle Lefebvre / Equinox Staff
Even though pornographic videos and other sexual objects are easy to gain access to in today’s society, it seems to be taboo for women to admit to utilizing these things.
However when reading a sexual fantasy book, it seems more justifiable and less frowned upon by society.
Keene State College senior Julie Trombetta said, “I don’t feel as scandalous when reading a book of this sort because it’s a story, there’s a real plot and sex just happens to the majority of it.”
And just when we couldn’t keep our hands off of these racy books, James did the unthinkable by turning her saucy book into a movie. But how could something so raunchy be presented in public theaters?
According to Screenrant.com, screenwriter Kelly Marcel said, “Regardless of what you may think of [James’] writing, this is a modern love story, involving two complex characters, and that’s what I’m interested in.” Marcel said it’s something to work at it, talk about it, and figure it out–regardless of the situation.
“I don’t care what anybody says, there is something about Christian Grey that is old-fashioned and romantic,” Marcel said.
With that being said, the movie will take on the guise of a modern day romance movie with extra flare. Sam Taylor – Johnson who has previously directed “Nowhere Boy” and “Love You More” agreed to take on the role for Director of Fifty Shades of Grey.
Critics-associated.com quotes Taylor – Johnson, “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 honour the power of Erika’s book and the characters of Christian and Anastasia. They are under my skin too.” However critics such as KSC English and secondary education major Holly Morris. “I’m hoping, I’m praying that the movie will be different from the book. Maybe it will have a slim chance at being decent, but, it’s still probably going to be just as awkward to watch as it was to read it”, she said.
The book itself has little plot outside of the bedroom so it is hard to say what exactly the movie will be based on without making it into a complete pornographic film.
“I am and I’m sure everyone else is just as curious as to how this movie will be played out, I really don’t know how there can even be an actual movie because ninety nine percent of the book is all sex scenes”, Trombetta said.
Just this week, the casting for the lead roles in the movie was announced.
Dakota Johnson, daughter of singer Don Johnson and actress Melanie Griffith, will take on the persona of Anastasia Steele. Johnson is best known for her work in “21 Jump Street” and “The Social Network”.
The hunk that will play Christian Grey is no other than Charlie Hunnam, famously known for his character Jax in the television series, “Sons of Anarchy.”
The casting has already received backlash by fans demanding for a recast. KSC Film Professor Peter Condon said, “Fans of that book are signing a petition to have a recast.”
According to The Guardian fans have taken to the website Change.org (a website geared to creating petitions) and is trying to, “influence Hollywood casting decisions, more than 17,000 people have joined a call for producers to remove the duo and replace them with Matt Bomer and Alexis Bledel.”
Even though issues like petitions are rarely taken into consideration, one of the movie’s producers, Dana Brunetti tweeted on September 2 that casting consisted of more than just looks.
“Talent, availability, their desire to do it, chemistry with other actor, etc.”
Condon, who took to the situation about the main characters said, “They’re up and coming so what they’re doing is probably giving opportunities to some people whose careers are just at the start.”
The release date for Fifty Shades of Grey is set to be August 1 of 2014, whether it will be played in all theaters across the world, and what age restriction it will receive is still unknown.
Deanna Caruso can be contacted at dcaruso@keene-equinox.com
