The feature film adaptation of E.L. James’ 50 Shades trilogy has been in the works for over a year now, and the rumour mill has barely had a moment’s rest. Finally, after much speculation and several upsets, we have a full house. With Sam Taylor-Johnson directing, and the leading couple (Jamie Dornan and Dakota Johnson) decided, production is now underway.
The hype will not be abated, though. The first images of Dornan and Johnson in character were released by EW a few days ago and the film’s producer, Dana Brunetti, has thrown fans and the media a brand new tit-bit, by announcing that an alternative X-rated version of the mainstream Hollywood flick may be made alongside the R-rated version.
”I always thought it would be really cool if we released the R-version and then we had an NC-17 version that we released a few weeks later,” said Brunetti. ”Everybody could go and enjoy the R-version and then if they really wanted to see it again and get a little bit more gritty with it, then have that NC-17 version out there as well. It’d be great for the studio too because they’d get a double dip on the box office.”
The 50 Shades story arc follows the evolving relationship of sadomasochistic millionaire Christian Grey and the virginal college graduate, Anastasia Steele, as they bond through BDSM.
”We do not want this film to be seen as mommy porn — we want to keep it elevated, but also give the fans what they want,” Brunetti said. ”What we’re kind of hearing from the fans is they want it dirty … they want it as close as possible [to the book].”
Brunetti’s comments, so close to crunch-time, back up those made by screenwriter Kelly Marcel last January, when he said “We are 100 percent going there. It will be rated NC-17. It will be raunchy.”
Mainstream cinema launch for the Universal Pictures feature film will invariably require an R-rated version, but the consensus seems to be that fetish enthusiasts and the less vanilla audience will have plenty to keep them satisfied.
Our readers will also be pleased to note that this romance with a difference is to premier on February 13th 2015 – perfectly timed for a themed Valentine’s campaign or two.
