"Fifty Shades of Grey" will come to real life in movie theaters next year. Universal Pictures and Focus Features have revealed that the producers of the steamy movie will be the ones who produced the Oscar-nominated film "The Social Network."
According to the Hollywood Reporter, Michael De Luca and Dana Brunetti will reteam on the erotic bestselling novel written by E.L. James, Universal Pictures and Focus Features said Monday.
Universal and Focus acquired rights to the mega-selling Fifty Shades trilogy for $5 million in March. The books tell the story of 22-year-old recent college grad Anastasia Steele, who enters into a dominant/submissive sexual relationship with a BDSM-crazed billionaire named Christian Grey.
The trilogy expects to hit the 20 million-sales mark this week, thanks to hungry fans.
"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," said 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."
Both producers are known for their work on book adaptations. De Luca and Brunetti collaborated with producer Scott Rudin on Social Network, based on the nonfiction book The Accidental Billionaires. De Luca also produced last year's hit baseball movie Moneyball. Brunetti and De Luca currently are collaborating with Rudin on Captain Phillips, the true story of a cargo ship captain held hostage by Somali pirates and rescued by Navy SEALs. The movie is being directed by Paul Greengrass and stars Tom Hanks, according to Hollywood Reporter.
"Michael De Luca is a dream producer, whose combination of vision, taste and fearlessness is the perfect match for Fifty Shades of Grey," said Focus' CEO James Schamus.
Added James: "I am thrilled that Mike has joined Team Fifty. He brings a passion for and in-depth understanding of the characters and story and a wealth of experience in making quality films."
Now that there is a production team in place, a real casting of Anastasia Steele and Christian Grey can finally be done. Fans are dying to know who will play these steamy roles. From recent reports, "Pretty Little Liars" star Lucy Hale and "Drive" star Ryan Gosling seem to be the top picks in the running for now.