Finally, a director for E.L. James’ steamy novel’s big screen adaptation. So, who is she?
Nearly two years to the day since E.L. James' first Fifty Shades of Grey novel hit — and nearly melted — bookshelves, Universal and Focus Features have announced that Sam Taylor-Johnson will direct its highly anticipated big screen adaptation.
Last summer, Angelina Jolie was rumored to be in talks to get behind the camera to tell the graphic story of college grad Anastasia Steele and kinky businessman Christian Grey, while more recently, names like Joe Wright (Anna Karenina) and Gus Van Sant were bandied about for the job. Instead, producers Michael De Luca and Dana Brunetti chose Taylor-Johnson, a 46-year old British filmmaker.
She's directed one movie before: 2009's Nowhere Boy, about a young John Lennon.
She's also directed three shorts.
The movie starred Aaron Johnson... to whom she is now married.
She is 23 years his senior, and they have two young children. They exchanged names, too; he's now known as Aaron Taylor-Johnson.
Here's what she said in 2010:
“We were both aware that something was happening while we were working but too terrified to let it happen while we were at work. A woman going out with a younger man feels like the last taboo. We’re happy and we’re in love, and our life is working out well. We’re not hurting anyone. What’s the issue? Other than curiosity, I suppose. Or jealousy. Britain can sometimes feel like a very small village, and you’re this, I dunno, scarlet woman they’re all gossiping about.”
Via: Stuart Wilson / Getty Images
