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Hollywood drama tends to get a little spicy at times, and when things go south, it often shows how hard it is to go about writing, filming, directing, and acting in a movie. This is what the Fifty Shades of Grey controversies conveyed to movie lovers all over the world.

Dakota Johnson and Jamie Dornan in Fifty Shades of Grey | Credits: Focus Features/Universal Pictures

Issues stemmed from the initial release itself, with the controversies revolving around the book’s writer and Sam Taylor-Johnson, who directed the first film and dipped right after. Fans also had issues with how things were portrayed on screen, and the casting, and then there was also a rumored feud between both lead actors, which they debunked.

The recent Qantas incident is a reminder of the issue fans had with Fifty Shades of Grey

While traveling, people generally expect to be treated with great hospitality,...

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After Everything is the fifth and final entry in the After Film franchise. Written and Directed by Castille Landon, the film is based on a novel of the same name by Anna Todd. The romantic drama film follows Hardin (Hero Fiennes Tiffin) as he travels to Portugal to make amends to Natalie (Mimi Keene). After Everything will also provide us with a final answer about where Hardin and Tess (Josephine Langford) will end up. So, if you loved the steamy romance, compelling drama, and charming characters in the final chapter of the After series here are some similar movies you should check out next.

Through My Window: Across the Sea (Netflix) Credit – Netflix

Through My Window: Across the Sea is a Spanish teen romantic drama film directed by Marçal Forés from a screenplay by Eduard Sola. Serving as...

Hollywood star Dakota Johnson returned to the screen taking on the titular role in the superhero film Madame Web. The movie, however, has been widely panned as one of the worst superhero films. It also became notorious not only for its lukewarm reception but also for Johnson’s blunt and disinterested attitude during its promotions.

Madame Web | Credit: Sony Pictures

However, her behavior might not be entirely surprising considering her challenging experience with the Fifty Shades of Grey franchise, a chapter that had a significant impact on her career. And it might also explain why she appeared so unhinged while promoting Madame Web.

Dakota Johnson Opened Up About Behind-the-Scenes Turmoil on Fifty Shades of Grey Set

Dakota Johnson had her breakthrough playing the role of Anastasia Steele in the Fifty Shades of Grey film series. Despite being critically panned, the films received significant success at the box office, making $1.3 billion worldwide.

Opposed to El James’s novels, the adaptations have significantly less full-frontal male n-dity. However, prior to the release of Fifty Shades Freed, the final installment in the Dakota Johnson-led trilogy, it was rumored that her costar, Jamie Dornan, was offered $1.5M to bear it all.

But despite these rumors, the theatrical release didn’t see the actor going full-frontal n-de onscreen, and Dornan even later debunked the rumors of being offered $1.5M to do so. Moreover, according to director James Foley, he did go full n-de for the film, which never made it out of the editing room.

Going Full-Frontal N-de Didn’t Serve the Movie’s Story per Jamie Dornan Fifty Shades Freed | Credit: Universal Pictures

For most of his adult scenes in the trilogy, Jamie Dornan preferred wearing a modesty pouch, and when asked about the rumors of being offered an additional amount, the actor joked...

Dakota Johnson Spoke Out About “Psychotic” ‘Fifty Shades Of Grey’ Author’s On Set Demands. (Photo Credit – Instagram)

Dakota Johnson is one of Hollywood’s leading actresses. She made her on-screen debut in the 2010 Oscar-winning film Social Network. Johnson gained mainstream recognition after being cast as Anastasia Steel in 2015’s Fifty Shades of Grey, based on E.L. James’s novel of the same name.

The franchise, which included three films, grossed $1.3 billion at the worldwide box office. However, the film’s success came with its own baggage, replete with on-set feud rumors. The rumors were not addressed until seven years after the release of the first Fifty Shades of Grey movie.

In 2022, Dakota Johnson spoke to Vanity Fair about the creative clashes on set, saying if she could only portend how “psychotic” things would turn out, she would not have signed on to do the movie.

Trending Beverly Hills Cop: Axel F...

The Fifty Shades of Grey universe took the world by storm during the late 2010s, bringing the sensual book series to life. 

2015's Fifty Shades of Grey was made after Universal Pictures and Focus Features secured the film rights in March 2012, with author E. L. James retaining creative control.

The film series stars Dakota Johnson as Anastasia "Ana" Steele and Jamie Dornan as Christian Grey, who enter a notably sadomasochistic relationship. However,  this trilogy also involves a complicated love story.

Read full article on The Direct.

One of the most popular sources for anime adaptations today is the website Shousetsuka ni Naru, translated as “Let’s Become a Novelist.” Anybody may publish their work there for free. Stories that win a devoted readership are scouted to become light novels and anime series. These include isekai titles like Mushoku Tensei: Jobless Reincarnation , Ascendance of a Bookworm and My Next Life as a Villainess: All Routes Lead to Doom! But there are also court mysteries ( The Apothecary Diaries ), romance ( My Happy Marriage ) and self-contained novels ( I Want to Eat Your Pancreas ). China and Korea have their own vibrant web fiction scenes. Stories published on sites like Qidan and KakaoPage have been adapted into comics, television series and even Japanese anime. What you may not know, though, is that there is a growing English language web fiction community. It does not yet compare in scale or prestige to its counterparts in East Asia.

Back in 2017, Robinne Lee dropped by a local L.A. news station for an interview promoting her role in “Fifty Shades Darker,” the second film in the steamy series based on books by E.L. James.

“You’re venturing out a little bit now with a new novel…” the Kcal anchor said to Lee, whose filmography already included “Deliver Us From Eva,” “Hitch” and “13 Going on 30,” teeing the actor up to mention her career pivot. “I have a novel coming out this spring called ‘The Idea of You,’” Lee replied, grinning.

The premise was unique: A divorced mother and art gallery owner, living in L.A. on the precipice of turning 40, takes her daughter to a concert meet-and-greet and the 20-year-old lead singer of the band falls in love with her. The story, Lee explained, was “as much about a love story complicated by celebrity and the underbelly of...

A little bit of sex is always appreciated in movies and TV shows and a lot of it also doesn’t go unnoticed I am looking at you Fifty Shades of Grey and its half-a-billion-dollar box office earnings. If you also love steamy movies and shows then this article is for you as we are here to list the most erotic films and TV shows you can find on Max (formerly known as HBO Max), where you will find most of the HBO shows and Warner Bros. movies. So, here are the most steamiest movies and TV shows you should watch on Max.

Euphoria (TV Series) Credit – HBO

Euphoria is a teen drama series created by Sam Levinson. Based on an Israeli miniseries of the same name by Ron Leshem and Daphna Levin, the HBO series follows the story of a troubled 17-year-old drug-addicted girl Rue, and her group of...

“Fifty Shades of Grey” director Sam Taylor-Johnson needed way more than just 50 days to regroup after the infamously “tough” production.

“Back to Black” helmer Taylor-Johnson told The Hollywood Reporter that directing the 2015 romance drama required her to take four years off of work. Taylor-Johnson admitted that she and novelist E.L. James had “diametrically opposed visions” on what the adaptation should be like. The feature was a critical failure but a box-office success, propelling lead stars Dakota Johnson and Jamie Dornan further into fame and spurring a trilogy.

“This was her book and she had a very particular vision of how she wanted to see this film,” Taylor-Johnson said of James. “And I had a diametrically opposed vision. Where we got to is where we got to. The success of it was great, but the experience of it was tough.”

Taylor-Johnson added, “It took me about four years to regain my confidence and composure.

Jamie Dornan and Dakota Johnson starrer Fifty Shades trilogy brought to screen a sizzling chemistry between the two leads of the movie. Based on the novel series by English author E. L. James of the same name, the movies amassed $1.325 billion in total, on a budget of $150 million. Dornan played the character of Christian Grey, a ruthless businessman who falls in love with the meek literature student, Anastasia “Ana” Steel, played by Dakota Johnson.

Dakota Johnson and Jamie Dornan in a still from Fifty Shades of Grey

Their chemistry and the sadomasochist relationship shown in the films were the basis of the novel as well as the trilogy. Given the s*xual nature of the films, there were a lot of headlines about the movie as well as the cast members. But the lead cast – especially Dornan and Johnson, were always quick to make fun of the situation as well...

The cinematic adaptation of E. L. James’ raunchy erotic romance series, the Fifty Shades franchise created the space for Dakota Johnson in Hollywood. Following the movie, the actor has been a household name claiming a spot in the fans’ favorite celebrities list.

Dakota Johnson and Jamie Dornan in a still from Fifty Shades of Grey

Johnson is not new to doing roles beyond her comfort zone but the urge to elevate the romance of roles for experience has prompted the actor to do the Fifty Shades franchise. Certainly, her previous role in the Fox sitcom, Ben and Kate where she played a young mom somehow eased the actor to step into the franchise.

SUGGESTEDFifty Shades of Grey Was a ‘Psychotic’ Nightmare for Dakota Johnson: She Signed up for a “Very different version of the film” Dakota Johnson Revealed The Shocking Reason Behind Doing Fifty Shades of Grey Dakota Johnson as...

Fifty Shades of Grey shook up the industry when it premiered back in 2015, and we’re still talking about it nearly a decade later.

Inspired by the steamy novels from E.L. James, the franchise starred Dakota Johnson as Anastasia Steel and Jamie Dornan as Christian Grey, the domineering man she fell in love with. Their chemistry centered the story across three movies.

The risque plot, which flirted with Bdsm and featured multiple intimate scenes, made the franchise a risk for Hollywood, but it was one that paid off. Years later, the movies remain some of the highest-grossed projects with R-ratings.

Casting such a big project generated a lot of buzz at the time. Though we have a hard time imagining anyone but Dakota playing Anastasia, she wasn’t the only actress in the running.

With the release of her new movie Madame Web, we were curious and did some digging.

Jamie Dornan "hid" in the country after reviews for 'Fifty Shades of Grey' came out.The 41-year-old actor faced "ridicule" for the first time in his career when the first film in the erotic rom-com franchise - which was based on the books by E. L. James - hit screens in 2015, and he decided to keep a low profile and not read anything.He told Radio 4's 'Desert Island Discs': "I think I hid."I am coming off the back of career-altering reviews for 'The Fall' to just ridicule, almost."The flick's director, Sam Taylor-Johnson, 56, and her actor husband, Aaron, 33, let Dornan and his family stay at their country abode.He continued: "They let us have their place in the country and we sort of hid there for a while and just shut ourselves from the world a bit and then sort of came out the other side.

Fifty Shades of Grey shook up the industry when it premiered back in 2015, and we’re still talking about it nearly a decade later.

Inspired by the steamy novels from E.L. James, the franchise starred Dakota Johnson as Anastasia Steel and Jamie Dornan as Christian Grey, the domineering man she fell in love with. Their chemistry centered the story across three movies.

The risque plot, which flirted with Bdsm and featured multiple intimate scenes, made the franchise a risk for Hollywood, but it was one that paid off. Years later, the movies remain some of the highest-grossed projects with R-ratings.

Casting such a big project generated a lot of buzz at the time. Though we have a hard time imagining anyone but Dakota playing Anastasia, she wasn’t the only actress in the running.

In fact, we were able to round up 10 actress who were considered for the role. One became a famous Marvel star.

Fifty Shades of Grey shook up the industry when it premiered back in 2015.

Inspired by the steamy novels from E.L. James, the franchise starred Dakota Johnson as Anastasia Steel and Jamie Dornan as Christian Grey, the domineering man she fell in love with. Their chemistry centered the story across three movies.

The risque plot, which flirted with Bdsm and featured multiple intimate scenes, made the franchise a risk for Hollywood, but it was one that paid off. Years later, the movies remain some of the highest-grossed projects with R-ratings.

Casting such a big project generated a lot of buzz at the time. Though we have a hard time imagining anyone but Dakota playing Anastasia, she wasn’t the only actress in the running.

In fact, we were able to round up 10 actress who were considered for the role. One became a famous Marvel star. Another explained that they turned down...

Throwback Picture Of Dakota Johnson In A Stunning Gown ( Photo Credit – Instagram )

Dakota Johnson is one of the industry’s prettiest actresses, with grace in her styling, and her every red carpet look captivates us. While browsing through the internet, we came across a petite look of the Fifty Shades of Grey star, which made us stop and appreciate her beauty. Scroll below to take a glimpse at her pic as we analyze and dissect her look.

Johnson is the daughter of actors Don Johnson and Melanie Griffith and started her acting career as a kid. She appeared in a minor role in her mother’s film Crazy in Alabama in 1999. She got her breakthrough with the Fifty Shades franchise based on the erotic novels of El James. She will now appear as a superhero in her upcoming film Madame Web.

Dakota Johnson starrer Suspiria was released in 2018. It also featured Tilda Swinton,...

Jamie Dornan has hit out at film critics’ “snobbery”. The ‘Fifty Shades of Grey’ star, 41, has spent much of his time being derided as a “model-turned-actor” and his turn as kink-obsessed billionaire Christian Grey in the ‘Fifty Shades’ franchise earned him his first Golden Raspberry award for Worst Actor in 2015, with film writers constantly slating his performance in the trio of movies. Jamie has now told the new issue of Radio Times magazine: “I knew there was going to be a lot of hostility about the project because there was a lot of hostility around the books, and a lot of it is literary snobbery. People like to (criticise)… very successful things: if you have something that’s hugely successful and sold as many copies as those books did, while critics didn’t like them. “Oxbridge-educated critics who think they are the most important people in the world… I’m somebody who seeks out challenges.

Actor Dakota Johnson landed perhaps her biggest role when she was cast in Fifty Shades of Grey. But she was concerned that her parents might reveal the big news too early.

Dakota Johnson wanted to keep her ‘Fifty Shades of Grey’ role a secret from her parents Dakota Johnson | Robin Marchant/Getty Images

At the time, Johnson was eager to be cast in Fifty Shades of Grey. She felt passionate about the film’s source material, which connected with her in the same way it connected with millions of readers.

“I just really understand it,” Johnson once told Entertainment Weekly. “I think it’s an incredible love story and that’s why it’s affected so many people. Erica [El James] did a really good job of explaining how that just can happen sometimes and you have this chemical pull to someone. Adding in the sex makes it perfect. Sometimes...

The role of Christian Grey in Fifty Shades of Grey was more than just another part to play; it was a role that promised instant fame and notoriety. While Charlie Hunnam came tantalizingly close to snagging the role, he was far from the only A-lister in contention.

A fascinating array of Hollywood heavyweights were nearly cast as the enigmatic, Bdsm-loving billionaire. Here’s a look at all of the actors who chose to pass on one of the decade’s most talked-about characters.

Charlie Hunnam, Ryan Gosling, and Stephen Amell were all eyed to play Christian Grey

Hunnam was initially slated to take on the magnetic role of Christian Grey in the cinematic adaptation of Fifty Shades of Grey. Yet, he wasn’t the sole Hollywood heavyweight considered for this highly sought-after part.

The role was a tempting prospect, promising fame and notoriety in exchange for donning the persona of the complex,...

Jamie Dornan had 50 reasons to say no to “Fifty Shades of Grey.”

The actor, who stepped into the role of Christian Grey after Charlie Hunnam exited the part last minute, admitted during the “Happy Sad Confused” podcast that he had to seek “counsel” from close friends and fellow actors over accepting the part. Dornan co-starred with Dakota Johnson in the 2015 film adapted from E.L. James’ novels, which were inspired by “Twilight” fan fiction.

“It wasn’t an instant yes by any means,” Dornan said. “It needed to be talked through. I sought counsel from friends, family, a lot of actors.”

He added that he felt “a bit of relief” after knowing he originally lost the part to Hunnam “because I knew that guy is going to get wrecked here.” Dornan continued, “[Hunnam] maybe felt the same … suddenly there I was, but with way less time to make a decision. I...

Prior to 2015, Dakota Johnson’s career had consisted of mostly minor roles in films, along with a starring role in a short-lived sitcom — nothing that won her much attention or acclaim. That all changed when, seemingly against type, Johnson was cast as Anastasia Steele in the film adaptation of the controversial blockbuster book by E.L. James. Fifty Shades of Grey, along with sequels Fifty Shades Darker and Fifty Shades Freed, suddenly turned Johnson into one of Hollywood’s top rising stars. Speaking at the time of the final film’s release, Johnson said she would always be grateful for the films and the character James had created. (Click on the media bar below to hear Dakota Johnson) https://www.hollywoodoutbreak.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/Dakota-Johnson.mp3 The three Fifty Shades films are currently streaming on Max and available on DVD, Blu-Ray, and most digital platforms.

The post Dakota Johnson’s Got...

The author of the Fifty Shades franchise Erika Mitchell, better known by her pen name E.L. James, has said that she remains confounded by the success of the books and films.

The British author wrote the erotic romance trilogy “Fifty Shades of Grey,” “Fifty Shades Darker” and “Fifty Shades Freed,” which together sold some 165 million copies, and companion novels “Grey: Fifty Shades of Grey as Told by Christian,” “Darker: Fifty Shades Darker as Told by Christian” and “Freed: Fifty Shades Freed as Told by Christian.”

The trilogy was also made into films, which together grossed more than $1 billion, on which Mitchell served as a producer.

“The success of Fifty Shades still confounds me. I was like a rabbit in the headlights. I didn’t expect such a furore and didn’t deal with it well. I couldn’t sleep and was anxious, especially around the time of the movies,” Mitchell...

Dakota Johnson is most well-known for playing Anastasia Steele in the "Fifty Shades of Grey" franchise. The films, which are based on the book series of the same name by E.L. James, marked her breakthrough role as an actress. Since then, she's led so many other films like "How to be Single," "Suspiria," and "The Lost Daughter." Next up, she's set to join Sony's Spider-Man universe as the titular character in "Madame Web."

Dakota's success is unsurprising, especially considering her parents are famous actors, themselves. Her father, Don Johnson, has starred in hit TV series like "Miami Vice" and "Nash Bridges," while her mother, Melanie Griffith, rose to fame by appearing in films like "Working Girl," "Body Double," and "Something Wild." Not to mention, Dakota's grandmother is "The Birds" star Tippi Hedren, and her former stepfather is the award-winning Spanish actor and director Antonio Banderas. That's right. Acting...

It’s beyond obvious that women deserve a movie that portrays and celebrates them in their sixties and seventies reveling in the joys of romantic adventure and uninhibited sex. It’s not so obvious that they deserved “Book Club,” the 2018 comedy about four hale, hearty, and prosperous senior friends who read “Fifty Shades of Grey” in their monthly literary white-wine klatsch, only to discover that E.L. James’s S&m princess fantasy jump-starts their hibernating libidos and/or their desire to commit to the men who are courting them. You could use a whole Thesaurus paragraph of withering descriptives to evoke the sort of movie “Book Club” was. It was prefab, it was cookie-cutter, it was paint-by-numbers, it was broad enough to play to the peanut gallery, it was four glorified sitcoms jammed into one overly synthetic package.

And yet…the movie, in its story-parts-falling-into-place-far-too-neatly “Look how bawdy we’re being!

Charlie Hunnam had a widely known stressful experience with the film Fifty Shades of Grey. The actor was close to signing onto the project when circumstances prevented him from committing to the popular franchise.

Even a couple of years after the debacle, Hunnam still considered it one of the most terrifying ordeals he’d been through.

Charlie Hunnam knew he wanted to do ‘Fifty Shades of Grey’ after experiencing chemistry with Dakota Johnson Charlie Hunnam | Gabe Ginsberg/WireImage

In the beginning, Hunnam was more than excited about being the co-lead of Fifty Shades of Grey. The source material of the same name written by E.L. James had already proven to be a global success. If the novel’s popularity was any indication, there was faith the films would follow the book’s enormous footsteps.

The Sons of Anarchy star met with director Sam Taylor-Johnson after he was tapped to play the role.

Rejecting the wrong project can have expensive consequences, especially for actors like Charlie Hunnam. Hunnam was devastated after having to step away from the lead role in Fifty Shades of Grey, a film that ended up becoming a massive 1.3 billion franchise.

Although Hunnam admitted that backing out of the project proved to be “emotionally destructive,” he actually may have avoided a major mistake in the end.

Charlie Hunnam | Ernesto Distefano/Getty Images for Iconink Looking back, Charlie Hunnam was heartbroken about his choice to walk away from ‘Fifty Shades of Grey‘

Hunnam’s decision to leave Fifty Shades of Grey was not easy. Not only was he walking away from a massive payday, but he was also giving up future potential projects as well. Not to mention how much fans really wanted to see how he would do as one of the movie’s main characters, Christian Grey.

Hunnam opened...

Are you an avid fan of the Polish erotic thriller “365 Days?” If so, you will likely look for similar flicks that leave you just as astonished. Well, look no further because, in this blog post, we will break down some of the best movies which offer a cinematic delight of other movies like “365 days.” From spine-tingling thrill rides and forbidden romances to heartwarming stories – our list has something for every taste.

Related: The 18 Sexiest Movies on Netflix Right Now (2023)

Let’s get right into it and look at some of the top contenders!

List of Movies Like “365 Days” Fifty Shades of Grey (2015) Below Her Mouth (2016) After (2019) Amar: With You Until the End of the World (2017) Nymphomaniac (2013) Shame (2011) Original Sin (2001) Newness (2017) Femme Fatale (2002) Fifty Shades of Grey (2015)

The first film in the list of movies like 365 days is Sam Taylor-johnson’s 2015 blockbuster, “Fifty Shades of Grey,” which...

Despite its title, there is very little mystery to Nicole Newnham’s straightforward but consistently compelling documentary, “The Disappearance of Shere Hite.” Indeed, although the name suggests a potentially-enticing enigma, it takes us down another path entirely.

The story of Shere Hite is very much of a piece with others we’ve seen recently, on subjects both as disparate and — in the way they were treated by press and public — similar as Princess Diana, Monica Lewinsky, Janet Jackson, and Britney Spears. In a decade, someone will undoubtedly make a comparable film exploring whether Meghan Markle’s current attempts to reclaim her narrative were more successful than those of her predecessors.

You may only dimly recognize it today, but from the late 1970s through the late 1980s, Hite’s was a household name. The film brushes (too) swiftly past her early childhood, beginning in earnest when she arrives in New York as a Columbia grad student.

If you’re eager to watch the Fifty Shades movies but need help figuring out where to start, we brought you the best way to manage all three Fifty Shades movies.

The Fifty Shades trilogy is a British American film series based on English author E.L. James‘ trilogy of three sexual love dramas, “Fifty Shades of Grey.”

The “Fifty Shades of Grey” movie series is a trilogy from Universal Studios. The lead characters of Christian Grey and Anastasia Steele are played by Jamie Dornan and Dakota Johnson, respectively.

The trilogy showcases an inextricable connection between the beautiful Dakota Johnson and handsome Jamie Dornan. Sam Taylor-Johnson directed the first movie, while James Foley was in charge of the second and third. The films were produced by Michael De Luca, Dana Brunetti, E.L. James, and Marcus Viscidi.

The same-named book series is the inspiration for the “Fifty Shades of Grey” film series.

Hollywood has never had a healthy relationship with sex. Torn between leering salaciousness and code-mandated puritanism, the end results on-screen have often been messy, thematically conflicted, and deeply unsexy. Much has been made about the state of on-screen sensuality in 2022 and the blockbuster age, where ultra-muscular and fit bodies are fetishized yet entirely divorced from sex itself. As one viral article published last year in Blood Knife out it, "everyone is beautiful and no one is horny."

Things are improving in small ways, mostly on streaming thanks to shows like "Bridgerton" that undeniably f***, but everything remains pretty limited in terms of what goes on between the sheets. Kink of any kind is still a no-go topic for screens big and small. While the highly profitable adaptation of the much-derided "Fifty Shades" trilogy was sold as a journey into the dark pleasure of Bdsm, the end results were decidedly vanilla and not all that erotic.

The release date for “Madame Web” has been pushed back three months from summer to fall 2023, Sony announced Tuesday.

Originally slated for July 7, 2023, the Marvel film will now debut on Oct. 6 of next year.

Dakota Johnson leads an all-star cast of female talent that includes Sydney Sweeney, Emma Roberts, Celeste O’Connor, Isabela Merced and Tahar Rahim, as well as the recently announced Adam Scott. S.J. Clarkson will direct, with Matt Sazama and Burk Sharpless writing a script based on the character created by Denny O. Neil and John Romita Jr.

Also Read:

Adam Scott Joins ‘Madame Web’ With Dakota Johnson at Sony

The “Madame Web” comics center around a precognitive mutant and clairvoyant named Cassandra Webb. The film will dive into the backstory of the now-elderly Webb, connected to a life support system that takes the shape of a spider’s web, and how she came to develop the psychic...

Like “Gone with the Wind,” “To Kill a Mockingbird,” and “The Help” before it, “Where the Crawdads Sing” is the adaptation of a native Southern female writer’s best-selling debut novel that sold millions. Its predecessors were box-office hits and Best Picture Oscar nominees, each winning in a least one major category. However, “Crawdads” may see a very different outcome: To understand the radical changes in the theatrical landscape, look no further than the best-selling adaptation.

At the upper reaches of industry projections, “Where the Crawdads Sing” (Sony) won’t provide memorable box office. Opening numbers range from 8 million to 18 million for the 25 million production, making it one of the lower opening weekends for a wide studio release this summer.

That’s also why it’s interesting: What’s it doing here? It’s the furthest thing from a franchise film. It’s also aimed at adults, skewed toward women.

Jane Austen certainly wrote some plucky, sassy protagonists. Anne Elliot was not one of them. The first chapter of “Persuasion,” Austen’s final novel, describes Anne as having “an elegance of mind and sweetness of character.” Anne’s love interest, the dashing Captain Wentworth, later claims there is “no one so proper, so capable as Anne.”

The Anne illustrated in Austen’s novel sounds genteel and gracious. The Anne in Netflix’s “Persuasion,” the first straightforward film adaptation of the novel since 2007, is described similarly by her dearest friends. And yet, perhaps in an attempt to make her more relatable in our current resurgence of messy female characters, she also spends much of the film breaking the fourth wall and cracking wise.

Screenwriters Ron Bass (“My Best Friend’s Wedding”) and Alice Victoria Winslow (“Hot Spot”) have given one of Austen’s more demure heroines the “Fleabag” treatment. Luckily for them,...

Back in 2015, the world was introduced to Dakota Johnson. Now, she's a movie star with roles in "The Lost Daughter" and "Cha Cha Real Smooth" under her belt. Back then, she was the lead in the film version of the E.L. James bestselling book "Fifty Shades of Grey," leading to two sequels to match the other books in the trilogy. The first film was directed by Sam Taylor-Johnson and also starred Jamie Dornan. It follows a young woman named Anastasia Steele (Johnson) who is introduced to the world of sadomasochism by Christian Grey (Dornan). Johnson spoke to...

The post The Fifty Shades Films Were a Constant Battle Against Author E.L. James' Changes, According to Dakota Johnson appeared first on /Film.

Dakota Johnson is setting the record straight about her time on the set of the Fifty Shades of Grey movies which were adapted from E.L. James Fifty Shades of Grey trilogy of books. The first film debuted in 2015 followed by the second film Fifty Shades Darker in 2017, and Fifty Shades Freed in 2018. Johnson, plays Anastasia Steele alongside Jamie Dornan as Christian Grey.

The actress spoke with Vanity Fair and reflected on her time shooting the series and butting heads with James who commanded full creative control that squashed any ideas or input.

“She had a lot of creative control, all day, every day, and she just demanded that certain things happen,” the actress said of the author, who was also one of the film’s producers. “There were parts of the books that just wouldn’t work in a movie, like the inner monologue, which was at times incredibly cheesy.

With Dakota Johnson getting ready for the release of her latest movie, she's also opening up about her experience making a past one. In a new interview, Johnson calls filming "Fifty Shades of Grey" "psychotic." As she explains to Vanity Fair, the role that launched her into the limelight was not everything she initially thought it was going to be. And it had a lot to do with the studio, the directors, and the author of the books, Erika Leonard, who uses the pen name E.L. James.

"There were a lot of different disagreements. I haven't been able to talk about this truthfully ever, because you want to promote a movie the right way, and I'm proud of what we made ultimately and everything turns out the way it's supposed to," Johnson says, "but it was tricky."

Johnson says James had extensive creative control and often demanded things to be done according to her vision,...

“Fifty Shades of Grey” star Dakota Johnson opened up about her experience making the film trilogy in a cover story interview with “Vanity Fair.”

“I’m a sexual person, and when I’m interested in something, I want to know so much about it,” she began in the interview. “That’s why I did those big naked movies.” Unfortunately, she feels the final cut of “Fifty Shades” and its sequels weren’t what she bargained for. “I signed up to do a very different version of the film we ended up making,” she said.

Johnson, who landed the role of Anastasia “Ana” Steele, clarified that the problem came from a combination of the studio, directors and author of the books E.L. James, who goes by Erika and was very creatively active on the productions.

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How ‘Cha Cha Real Smooth’ Director Cooper Raiff Forged a Unique Collaboration With Dakota...

Anastasia Steele actor describes constant disagreements on the set of the hit erotic thriller due to disagreements with Fifty Shades author El James

Dakota Johnson has described the making of the hit erotic drama Fifty Shades of Grey as “crazy” and that she “signed up to do a very different version of the film [she] ended up making”.

Johnson, who is currently appearing in award-winning indie comedy Cha Cha Real Smooth and about to release an adaptation of the Jane Austen novel Persuasion, spoke to Vanity Fair about Fifty Shades of Grey, in which she starred opposite Jamie Dornan as Christian Grey in a 2015 film version of El James’ best selling novel directed by Sam Taylor-Johnson. Two further films, Fifty Shades Darker and Fifty Shades Freed, were released in 2017 and 2018 respectively, with James Foley replacing Taylor-Johnson as director and over which James was given what has been described as “unprecedented control”.

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Dakota Johnson described the making of “Fifty Shades of Grey” as “psychotic” in a new cover story for Vanity Fair magazine. The actor became an international star after being cast as Anastasia “Ana” Steele in the three-film franchise, but she said making the trilogy became complicated in part because of “the author of the books.” That would be E.L. James, who maintained creative control over the film adaptations.

“I signed up to do a very different version of the film we ended up making,” Johnson said. “[E.L. James] had a lot of creative control, all day, every day, and she just demanded that certain things happen. There were parts of the books that just wouldn’t work in a movie, like the inner monologue, which was at times incredibly cheesy. It wouldn’t work to say out loud. It was always a battle. Always. When I auditioned for that movie, I read...

Dakota Johnson is now “Fifty Shades Freed” about details from her breakout trilogy.

Johnson, who skyrocketed to fame after starring opposite Jamie Dornan in 2015’s “Fifty Shades of Grey” and its subsequent two sequels, revealed that she “signed up to do a very different version of the film we ended up making.”

“I’m a sexual person, and when I’m interested in something, I want to know so much about it,” Johnson told Vanity Fair. “That’s why I did those big naked movies.”

Johnson auditioned for the film by reading a monologue from Ingmar Bergman’s “Persona” and at first thought the adaptations of E.L. James’ “Twilight” fan-fiction novels would be “really special” to bring to the big screen. Yet James, the studio, and the directors were a “combo” of the issues on set.

“[E.L. James, who goes by Erika,] had a lot of creative control,...

Picture it: Feb. 13, 2015. It was a simpler time, back when we could not even fathom the world of hurt lurking just around the corner. The world of hurts-so-good, brought to you by the Red Room of Pain, that is. Just in time for Valentine's Day that year, the eponymous first film in the hotly anticipated Fifty Shades of Grey trilogy opened in theaters, the culmination of a relatively short but not drama-free journey from page to screen for the surprise best-seller by British author E.L. James. Perfect for those still pining away for Twilight-caliber romance but ready to add nudity to the mix, the fractured-fairy tale relationship between Christian...

Jamie Dornan was in lockdown with his family when he received a fan letter that was more than a little creepy. The star of the “Fifty Shades of Grey” movies was sent “a collage of photographs of a kid,” with a note about his most famous role.

“Someone saying that it was my kid, and my wife should know that I have this kid who’s 7 years old,” Dornan, 38, says over a Zoom call. He squints to absorb the weirdness of this allegation. “I think they were trying to say that the kid was mine and Dakota Johnson’s, and we’d had this baby while we made the first ‘Fifty Shades’ movie,” Dornan says. “It piqued our interest, let’s say. It was a bit freaky.”

Dornan learned all about freaky things when he suited up as Christian Grey, the sexually adventurous businessman based on the E.L. James books that became a cultural phenomenon.

Despite their individual box-office success, the exceedingly mild Bdsm frolics of the “Fifty Shades” films did little to revive Hollywood’s interest in the kind of frosty, high-style erotic drama that was de rigueur in the early 1990s — around the time that French writer Annie Ernaux scored some international renown with her sexually frank autofiction novel “Simple Passion.” French filmmakers’ loyalty to such material has remained more steadfast, however, so it’s somewhat surprising that it’s taken nearly 20 years for Ernaux’s provocation to reach the screen. Finally, Franco-Lebanese director Danielle Arbid has taken a gutsy stab at it, with an imperfect but glassily compelling study of obsessive, finally debilitating desire that honors its source with an unblinking female gaze.

The result, publicly premiering in San Sebastian after being selected for this year’s cancelled Cannes fest, plays something like Catherine Breillat let loose on E.L. James, with all the sensual highs and occasional,...

Not everyone is watching “Tiger King.” As audiences embrace premium VOD, increased interest in the lower-cost library titles follows. FandangoNOW, the streaming portal connected to the leading theater ticket-sales service, has provided its most recent seven-day ranking of older features as well as digital sales on franchise packages.

Here’s the top 10 of $3.99 catalogue titles.

More from IndieWire'Clover' Review: Meandering Crime Caper Stuffs a Skilled Cast Inside an Overcooked PlotTelevision Streaming Increased 85 Percent During March -- Report Contagion (Warner Bros./2011) Jumanji: Welcome to the Jungle (Sony/2017) Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Throne (Warner Bros./2001) Trolls (Universal/2016) Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets (Warner Bros./2002) Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire (Warner Bros./2005) The Greatest Showman (20th Century Fox/2018) Death Wish (MGM/2018) Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azjaban (Warner Bros./2004) The Meg (Warner Bros./2018)

Some takeaways:

• Steven Soderbergh’s films have won Cannes, Oscars, and blockbuster status,...

After making over a billion dollars worldwide on the Fifty Shades of Grey film trilogy, Universal is getting back in business with author E.L. James. The studio has emerged victorious in a bidding war for the movie rights to her novel The Mister, a romance that was one of 2019’s best sellers. Variety reports that […]

The post Universal Secures Rights to ‘The Mister’, Based on Novel From ‘Fifty Shades of Grey’ Author E.L. James appeared first on /Film.

Universal is back in business with Fifty Shades of Grey author E.L. James after her erotica novel trilogy delivered more than $1.3 billion in the global box office to the studio. Uni has just optioned James’ 2019 New York Times best-seller The Mister.

The novel follows the dashing and good-looking Maxim Trevelyan, who inherits his family’s noble title, wealth and estates and all the responsibility that entails. It’s a role he’s not prepared for and one that he struggles to face. However, his biggest challenge is fighting his desire for an unexpected, enigmatic young woman, Alessia Demachi, who’s recently arrived in England, possessing little more than a dangerous and troublesome past. Reticent, beautiful and musically gifted, she’s an alluring mystery, and his longing for her deepens into a passion that he’s never experienced and dares not name. Maxim is faced with protecting her from the malevolence that threatens her,...

After three movies and over $1 billion in box office revenue, Universal is reteaming with Fifty Shades of Grey author E.L. James.

The studio has picked up the rights to James' new novel The Mister, which follows a wealthy British aristocrat who falls in love with his Albanian housekeeper, unaware that she is on the run from vicious human traffickers.

The 2019 romance novel was on The New York Times' best-seller list for nine weeks and has sold in 33 territories internationally.

James will produce the feature adaptation, having previously acted as a producer on the Fifty Shades trilogy. Universal’s ...

After three movies and over $1 billion in box office revenue, Universal is reteaming with Fifty Shades of Grey author E.L. James.

The studio has picked up the rights to James' new novel The Mister, which follows a wealthy British aristocrat who falls in love with his Albanian housekeeper, unaware that she is on the run from vicious human traffickers.

The 2019 romance novel was on The New York Times' best-seller list for nine weeks and has sold in 33 territories internationally.

James will produce the feature adaptation, having previously acted as a producer on the Fifty Shades trilogy. Universal’s ...

Handsomely cloaked in misty menace and heavy weather, an irate wind whistling through every pause in its soundtrack, “Gwen” turns out to be something of a wolf in another wolf’s clothing. Following a fatherless family battling demons of some description in the bleakest peaks of Wales, the film looks and sounds the part of an elegantly haunted gothic horror movie, only to skip past standard chiller expectations to disquiet its audience in more grounded, historically rooted ways. That the true terrors of William McGregor’s stern but stylish debut turn out to be less mysterious than they might initially seem — with the living patriarchy rattling more chains than any ghosts — may come as a surprise to genre fiends, particularly those who find the film via its U.S. deal with horror VOD platform Shudder.

Approach the film with managed genre expectations, however, and there’s much to admire (and...