by Dana Brunetti and Michael DeLuca have been appointed to spearhead production on the film adaptation of the bestselling erotic novel 50 Shades of Grey, Universal and Focus Features announced on Tuesday. According to the press release, the statement was made by Universal Pictures Co-Chairman Donna Langley and Focus Features’ CEO James Schamus.
Getty Images/Stephen Lovekin. Brunetti, right.
Langley said:
Mike and Dana’s credits more than exemplify what we need in creative partners, and we’re glad to have them as part of our team.
The team, who most famously produced the Oscar-nominated film The Social Network, have a track record of translating books to the screen. They also collaborated to turn Bringing Down the House into the 2008 film 21. Currently, they are developing a feature adaptation of James Andrew Miller and Tom Shales’ behind-the-scenes tome “ESPN: Those Guys Have All the Fun,” which is set up at 20th Century Fox.
Brunetti’s work on the project began immediately, as he flew to London during the Independence Day holiday to meet with the book’s author, E.L. James, and her literary agent. James stated, “I am thrilled that Mike has joined Team Fifty. He brings a passion for and in-depth understanding of the characters and story, and a wealth of experience in making quality films.”
Brunetti is currently the president of Trigger Street Productions, which was founded by actor Kevin Spacey in 1997. Brunetti, previously Spacey’s executive assistant, has shown an invested interest in discovering new talent, particularly with the launch of Trigger Street Labs in 2002. Trigger Street Labs is a platform for undiscovered writing and filmmaking talent to get feedback and exposure.
When speaking of a filmmaker who won the opportunity to have his script produced by Trigger Street Labs recently, Brunetti said, “We at Trigger Street Production hope that Benjamin takes what he has learned from this exciting experience and continue to succeed because that will mean that our philosophy and purpose in doing this works. We want to be able to give talented people out there a shot at reaching their goals for the first time.”
