‘Fifty Shades of Grey’ movie set for next summer; studio doesn’t want to ‘rush’ project

When you’re in charge of adapting a trashy and extremely popular romance novel like “Fifty Shades of Grey” into a movie, you’d better make damn sure you do it right!

That’s the thinking over at Universal Pictures, the studio hand-picked by British author E.L. James to adapt her erotic page-turner into a major motion picture. In a recent interview with the Hollywood Reporter, Universal Chairman Adam Fogelson confirmed that the studio was aiming for a 2014 release date for the “Fifty Shades” pic, but stressed that the company has no interest in rushing the project into theatres – even if that delay prevents the movie from capitalizing on the novel’s buzz.

For those not in the know, “Fifty Shades of Grey” follows the intense relationship between college girl Anastasia Steele and wealthy entrepreneur Christian Grey. Given the book's reputation as "mommy porn," to go into further detail about the novel's “plot” probably isn’t necessary.

Fogelson also seemed to imply that the powers that be at Universal may be having a tough time figuring out exactly how to approach the film adaptation.

“I think that there are totally legitimate questions about what this book is as a movie,” he admitted, adding that the studio is determined to work through those issues to bring the adaptation to cinemas.

See also: Kristen Stewart reveals she's reading '50 Shades of Grey'

The problem for Universal is that the novel contains some very explicit depictions of sex and bondage, things that would likely be difficult to show on screen without the risk of an NC-17 rating. Even for a property as popular “Fifty Shades of Grey,” an NC-17 stamp for the movie version would be a kiss of death. The rarely-given rating would not only limit the potential audience of the film, but it would also constrain where the movie could be screened and how it could be advertised. Sure, it would be true to the book, but it’s very unlikely a major Hollywood studio would even release a movie with that rating; however, the screenwriter tasked with adapting the James book seems to think otherwise.

In an interview with the U.K.’s Sunday Times , “Fifty Shades” scripter Kelly Marcel said the film’s screenplay is “100 per cent going there,” referring to the book’s more risqué content.

"It will be rated NC-17. It will be raunchy," Marcel added.

While Marcel’s comments are probably welcome news for fans of Christian Grey, Universal was quick to point out that the MPAA (the body responsible for rating movies in the United States) doesn't hand out ratings for screenplays, only finished films.

See also: '50 Shades of Grey' casting dreams

Meanwhile, rumours continue to swirl over who will play Anastasia Steele in the movie version. The name of "Oz the Great and Powerful" star Mila Kunis keeps cropping up, but nothing has been confirmed. The former "That '70s Show" actress recently said she's "not disinterested" in the racy "Fifty Shades" role, however that doesn't really indicate that she's actively pursuing the part.

If the film is anything like the book, though, whoever ends up in the roles of Anastasia and Christian are sure to get people talking due to the amount of nudity and simulated sex the film will probably require. Who do you want to see play the "Fifty Shades of Grey" roles?