5 potential 'Fifty Shades of Grey' directors

"Fifty Shades of Grey" would definitely benefit from a feminine touch. Author E L James has already trusted female script writer Kelly Marcel and it would not be a long shot to think she would like a woman to direct as well. Catherine Hardwicke is an obvious choice due to her "Twilight" connection. Hardwicke directed the first installment of the saga, a film which is hugely popular in the fan community. Currently, she is working on two smaller projects which would leave room for her to focus on "Fifty Shades of Grey."A relative newcomer to directing, James Franco would bring a fresh perspective to the "Fifty Shades of Grey" films. While the star recently admitted he would act in the film if Gus Van Sant directed, he may be better taking the helm himself. Franco has proved to be quite an eclectic character but still finds success in his films, most recently playing a rapper in "Spring Breakers" and the hero in "OZ The Great and Powerful." His ability to adapt to any situation could help him while filming something as unique as "Fifty Shades of Grey." Franco is keeping himself very busy these days, with three movies currently filming and two in pre-production."Fifty Shades of Grey" takes place in the Pacific Northwest, a place close to the heart of Gus Van Sant. The "Good Will Hunting" director lives in the region and spent the majority of his early career directing commercials there. Earlier in the year actor James Franco excited "Fifty Shades of Grey" fans by revealing, "It sounds interesting, I heard Gus [Van Sant] might direct it." Van Sant does not shy away from controversial material and would likely push the erotic envelope, if the studio wants a passionate film without an NC-17 rating this may be the director who could pull it off. View the list »
David Fincher has enjoyed a long and successful Hollywood career as a filmmaker and producer. He has been recognized with "Best Director" Oscar's for both "The Curious Case of Benjamin Button" and "The Social Network." Fincher has a knack for adding a dark and stylistic element to his films. "Fifty Shades of Grey" has those undertones and Fincher would be able to bring that out in the films. A fan recently created a trailer inspired by the works of David Fincher and while it has received mixed reviews, it definitely showed how Fincher would add a darker side to the erotic subject matter. The acclaimed director is currently attached to the Disney project "20,000 Leagues Under the Sea."

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Every fan has heard the rhetoric from the team behind "Fifty Shades of Grey," there will be no casting announcements until a director is chosen. Most recently E L James told the New York Post, "We don’t even have a filmmaker…. so we are still a long way away from casting." So what is going on with potential filmmakers? On April 2 Moviefone reported that David Fincher's "20,000 Leagues Under the Sea" got a financial boost from Australia, while Gus Van Sant, James Franco and Catherine Hardwicke are currently filming their respective movies. On April 1 Word and Film noted that Steven Soderberg has "given new meaning to the term 'active retirement',” possibly opening the door to a risqué project like "Fifty Shades of Grey." Here is a closer look at these 5 potential directors and what they would each bring to the erotic film.

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  • David Fincher has enjoyed a long and successful Hollywood career as a filmmaker and producer. He has been recognized with "Best Director" Oscar's for both "The Curious Case of Benjamin Button" and "The Social Network." Fincher has a knack for adding a dark and stylistic element to his films. "Fifty Shades of Grey" has those undertones and Fincher would be able to bring that out in the films. A fan recently created a trailer inspired by the works of David Fincher and while it has received mixed reviews, it definitely showed how Fincher would add a darker side to the erotic subject matter. The acclaimed director is currently attached to the Disney project "20,000 Leagues Under the Sea."
  • "Fifty Shades of Grey" takes place in the Pacific Northwest, a place close to the heart of Gus Van Sant. The "Good Will Hunting" director lives in the region and spent the majority of his early career directing commercials there. Earlier in the year actor James Franco excited "Fifty Shades of Grey" fans by revealing, "It sounds interesting, I heard Gus [Van Sant] might direct it." Van Sant does not shy away from controversial material and would likely push the erotic envelope, if the studio wants a passionate film without an NC-17 rating this may be the director who could pull it off. 
  • A relative newcomer to directing, James Franco would bring a fresh perspective to the "Fifty Shades of Grey" films. While the star recently admitted he would act in the film if Gus Van Sant directed, he may be better taking the helm himself. Franco has proved to be quite an eclectic character but still finds success in his films, most recently playing a rapper in "Spring Breakers" and the hero in "OZ The Great and Powerful." His ability to adapt to any situation could help him while filming something as unique as "Fifty Shades of Grey." Franco is keeping himself very busy these days, with three movies currently filming and two in pre-production.
  • "Fifty Shades of Grey" would definitely benefit from a feminine touch. Author E L James has already trusted female script writer Kelly Marcel and it would not be a long shot to think she would like a woman to direct as well. Catherine Hardwicke is an obvious choice due to her "Twilight" connection. Hardwicke directed the first installment of the saga, a film which is hugely popular in the fan community. Currently, she is working on two smaller projects which would leave room for her to focus on "Fifty Shades of Grey."
  • "Magic Mike" was a lighthearted precursor to the more erotic "Fifty Shades of Grey." The sexually charged film proved that fans will flock to the theater to see half-naked men, a fact that should work in the advantage of "Fifty Shades of Grey." The film's director Steven Soderbergh could be an obvious choice to take on such an erotic topic. While, aside from smaller films, Soderbergh has claimed he is taking "a film-making 'sabbatical'," there is still hope that "Fifty Shades of Grey" could be the type of unique project that would spark his interest.
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, Fifty Shades of Grey Examiner

Barbie Kavetsky is an avid fan of the Fifty Shades book series. She follows all things Grey to bring her readers informative and tantalizing coverage as the book transforms onto the big screen.

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