Sam Taylor-Johnson, the Nowhere Boy director, has been selected to direct the Fifty Shades of Grey movie – the movie adaptation of British author E.L. James’ best-selling book, reported Entertainment Weekly. Kelly Marcel will pen the screenplay.

Taylor-Johnson announced her coup in a statement. “I am excited to be charged with the evolution of Fifty Shades of Grey from page to screen," she wrote. "For the legions of fans, I want to say that I will honor the power of Erika’s book and the characters of Christian and Anastasia. They are under my skin too.”

Taylor-Johnson, 46, is married to Kick-Ass and Savages star Aaron Johnson, 23, whom she directed in 2009’s Nowhere Boy. It’s rumored that the handsome young actor could be in consideration for the role of Chrisitian Grey, especially now that his wife will be helming the project. No actors have been cast in the role yet, though rumors suggest that Ian Somerhalder, Matt Bomer and Henry Cavill are the current favorites – at least among fans, if not producers.

The role of Anastasia has yet to be cast either, and while Emma Watson has flatly denied any interest in the project, many actresses have reportedly expressed a desire to land the role, including Pretty Little Liars’ actress Lucy Hale. Other actresses who are favored for the role include Alexis Bledel, Ashley Greene and Nina Dobrev.

Earlier this year, screenwriter Marcel suggested that the film would be rated NC-17 if she had any say in the matter. “We are 100 percent going there,” Marcel told The Sunday Times in January. “It will be rated NC-17. It will be raunchy.”

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