Erotic novel to be turned into film

Universal Pictures and Focus Features have acquired the rights to E.L. James' bestselling erotic novel, Fifty Shades of Gray. In a joint announcement Monday, Universal and Focus called the word-of-mouth sensation a "special story." First released by an Australian publisher, James' novel is an explicit tale

Universal Pictures and Focus Features have acquired the rights to E.L. James' bestselling erotic novel, Fifty Shades of Gray.

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In a joint announcement Monday, Universal and Focus called the word-of-mouth sensation a "special story."

First released by an Australian publisher, James' novel is an explicit tale about billionaire Christian Grey and college student Anastasia Steele.

Vintage Books, a paperback imprint of Random House Inc, recently became the U.S. distributor of "Fifty Shades" and its two follow-ups, "Fifty Shades Darker" and "Fifty Shades Freed."

James is a London based writer.