’50 Shades of Grey’ has studios hot and bothered

While you and I go about our mundane lives, titillating things are transpiring in Tinseltown. From the LAT:

Hollywood’s top studios are rolling out the red carpet for little-known British author named E.L. James, the woman behind an overnight literary phenomenon titled “50 Shades of Grey.”

The first in the trilogy of erotic e-books about a virginal recent college graduate and her lurid relationship with a billionaire in his late 20s, James’ “Grey” has become a sensation among female readers. Now the studios are eager to capitalize on the popularity of the novel, hoping to retell the story on the big screen.

Over the last few days, top executives from Warner Bros., Sony Pictures, Fox 2000, Universal and Paramount have — or will — deliver presentations, some of them highly elaborate, to convince James and her literary agent Valerie Hoskins that they are the best candidates to transform the popular material into a movie. (The three books are being sold as a package and would be developed as a potential franchise by the winning bidder.)

From TheWrap:

“Fifty Shades of Grey,” a book about steamy, transgressive sex, has Hollywood turning 50 shades of hot.

It seems like forever since Hollywood has gotten this sweaty over a title. For women. About sex.

A bidding war has broken out over the e-book by British television writer E.L. James, which has raced up The New York Times best-seller list. It tells the story of a college student, Anastasia Steele, who finds herself in a sexual relationship with a 27-year-old billionaire Christian Grey that involves submission, sadomasochism and a lot of hot hoochy-koochy.

An excerpt from the current object of Hollywood’s passion:

“My heartbeat quickens, and my face flushes again,” the protagonist confesses after meeting billionaire Grey in a Vancouver office. “Why does he have such an unnerving effect on me? His overwhelming good looks maybe? The way his eyes blaze at me? The way he strokes his index finger against his lower lip? I wish he’d stop doing that.”

“My heart is pounding. The elevator arrives on the first floor and I scramble out as soon as the doors slides open, stumbling once, but fortunately not tumbling on to the immaculate sandstone floor. … No man has ever affected me the way Christian Grey has, and I cannot fathom why. Is it his looks? His civility? Wealth? Power? I don’t understand my irrational reaction. I breathe an enormous sigh of relief. What in heaven’s name was that all about?”

Okay, people. Time to put on your producer’s hat: What about this project has gotten Hollywood all lathered up and in a tizzy? Your analysis wanted.

For the LAT’s article, go here.

For TheWrap’s article, go here.

UPDATE: Book series rights may sell to Hollywood for $5M.

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