Joe Wright, the British director best known for his work with Keira Knightley, is reportedly moving to the top of the list of potential directors for Universal and Focus’ Fifty Shades of Grey adaptation.
The Anna Karenina director is now the frontrunner for the project, according to sources for The Hollywood Reporter. They stress that Wright hasn’t won the job and that no deal has been signed.
However, Wright does have a relationship with Universal and Focus. The studio released four of his last five films, Anna Karenina, Hana, Pride & Prejudice and Atonement. His 2009 film, The Soloist, was a Universal and DreamWorks co-production.
50 Shades was written by the British author E.L. James and Kelly Marcel, a London native, is doing the screenplay. If Wright joins, it will keep the creative forces behind the film all British.
The news comes weeks after The Wrap reported that another art-house director, Gus Van Sant, actually shot test footage, with Alex Pettyfer as Christian Grey. The two worked on the steamy sex scene in which Anastasia Steele loses her virginity. Van Sant has also worked with Universal and Focus in the past on Milk and Promised Land.
Since Universal is making the film using its Focus art-house banner, the studio is looking to give it the art house feel. THR notes that other directors being considered are Bennett Miller (Moneyball) and Patty Jenkins (Monster).
Universal still doesn’t have a cast signed. There were rumors that Emma Watson was working on it, but she laughed those off.
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