‘Fifty Shades Of Grey’ Movie Casts ‘Social Network’ Producers

Author E. L. James selects Michael De Luca and Dana Brunetti to bring her steamy trilogy to the big screen.

By Jocelyn Vena

"Fifty Shades of Grey"

Photo: Vintage

Handpicked by author E. L. James herself, Michael De Luca and Dana Brunetti have won the job of producing the highly anticipated "Fifty Shades of Grey" film adaptation.

According to the Hollywood Reporter, the producers, who also worked together on "The Social Network," have hooked up with Universal Pictures and Focus Features to bring James' steamy bestseller to life for the big screen. The studio bought the rights to the novels in March for $5 million.

"At its core, 'Fifty Shades of Grey' is a complex love story, requiring a delicate and sophisticated hand to bring it to the big screen," Universal co-chairman Donna Langley in a statement. "Mike and Dana's credits more than exemplify what we need in creative partners, and we're glad to have them as part of our team."

Now that a producer team has been put into place, the casting of the kinky lovers can heat up. And if sales of the book are any indication, fans are certainly hungry to see how "Fifty Shades" will be adapted for Hollywood and just who will get the chance to show their wild side. The book will soon surpass 20 million copies in sales in the U.S. alone since it was released here in March, according to Forbes. "I can't think of another trilogy in my lifetime that has sold as many copies in four months," says a statement from Paul Bogaards, spokesman for the publisher, Vintage.

Additional numbers from the Hollywood Reporter state that James will net upwards of $40 million when she combines U.S. sales of her trilogy, which are estimated at $35 million, and her take from selling the rights for the upcoming film.

Since the "Fifty Shades of Grey" movie was announced, a number of young starlets and studs have been linked to the project, but there has been no official word on who will play the frisky couple. As for who will direct, Angelina Jolie was named at one point, but that turned out to be nothing more than a rumor.

Share your "Fifty Shades of Grey" casting picks in the comments below!