Focus Features Turning "50 Shades Of Grey"

According to reports, Universal Pictures' arthouse division Focus Features ("Eastern Promises") will pay $4 million to secure screen rights to the first novel in the "50 Shades Of Grey" 'erotic' book trilogy, by author E. L. James.

Provisions in the deal also include options on the other 2 novels, "50 Shades Darker" and "50 Shades Freed".

Appealing mainly to female readers, author James said she went with Focus because the studio has "a great background in handling difficult material".

Premise of the series follows college student 'Anastasia Steele' who pursues a twisted sexual relationship with 'damaged' 27-year-old billlionaire 'Christian Grey'.

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