Universal Pictures and Focus Features announced 50 Shades of Grey will be written by screenwriter Kelly Marcel.
Marcel's previous work includes Disney's Saving Mr Banks which is currently in production and stars Emma Thompson, Tom Hanks and Colin Farrell albeit something a little different from erotic novels.
Speaking about the appointment of Marcel Fifty Shades of Grey co-producer Michael De Luca said 'Kelly's work demonstrates her flawless structural technique and passionate commitment to emotion, humour and depth of character, which is particularly visible in the celebrated screenplay for the upcoming Saving Mr. Banks.' 'We were all taken with the depth and passion of Kelley’s engagement with the characters and world EL James has created and we knew she was the right person to augment our Fifty Shades family'
However the appointment of Marcel did not please everyone with American Psycho author Bret Easton Ellis, who campaigned unsuccessfully for the screenwriter role taking to twitter to vent his anger
'Kelly Marcel?!? KELLY MARCEL?!? Kelly Marcel is WRITING the script for 'Fifty Shades of Grey'?!? THIS is the movie they want to make? ARGH ,' he wrote.
'Kelly Marcel: the creator of (gulp) 'Terra Nova' and a Mary Poppins bio-pic has been blessed by EL James and no one can stop her. Dear God' he added.
The erotic novel which the film is based on tells the story of billionaire Christian Grey's relationship with college student Anastasia Steele. the trilogy has sold over 32 million copies worldwide. With a writer now in place directors and lead actors should be announced soon.