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'Fifty Shades Of Grey': E.L. James Announces New Book, 'Grey' Telling Story From Christian's Perspective

Just When You Thought It Was Safe To Go Back Into The Bookshop...
Daniel Welsh

E.L. James has announced plans to release a new book in the ‘Fifty Shades Of Grey’ series.

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The upcoming novel, which will be her fourth centering on the BDSM-infused relationship between ingenue Anastasia Steele and millionaire tycoon Christian Grey, will be notably different from its predecessors, in that it will be told from the perspective of Mr Grey himself.

‘Grey’ was announced on Monday morning on the author’s Instagram page, and will retell the events of the first book from Christian’s perspective, whereas the first three novels were written from Anastasia’s perspective.

E.L. James wrote: “This book is dedicated to those readers who asked… and asked... and asked... and asked for this.

“Christian is a complex character, and readers have always been fascinated by his desires and motivations, and his troubled past. Also, as anyone who has ever been in a relationship knows, there are two sides to every story.

“It's been a great pleasure to return to my happy place - writing, being with Christian and Ana in their universe, and working with the fantastic team at Vintage [Publishers].”

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E.L. James

A film version of ‘Fifty Shades’, starring Jamie Dornan and Dakota Johnson in the lead roles, was released earlier this year, with a sequel on the way.

However, following several on-set arguments with E.L. James, director Sam Taylor Johnson recently announced that she would not be returning to the franchise.

'Fifty Shades Of Grey': Everything You Need To Know
1. It's based on a book that you might well have heard of(01 of14)
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Simultaneously the fastest-selling book in UK history, while also being almost universally panned by critics for its seemingly terrible writing (apart from in the graphic, S&M-laden sex scenes, of course, which occur with staggering frequency, almost at the drop of a hat). (credit:Rex/London News Pictures)
2. Jamie Dornan is in it (in case that escaped your attention)(02 of14)
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We're already so used to the sight of Jamie in his Christian Grey suit that it's difficult to imagine anyone else in the role - yet he wasn't actually the first actor to get the part.Newcastle-born star of 'Sons Of Anarchy' Charlie Hunnam was initially cast as the S&M-obsessed tycoon, while David Gandy and Robert Pattinsonwere also reportedly considered.'Strictly' contestant and ex-rugby player Thom Evans also hoped to kick-start his acting career after landing an audition, but has since admitted Jamie is better-suited to the role. (credit:GVK/Bauer-Griffin via Getty Images)
3. Dakota Johnson is also in it(03 of14)
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It's not all about Jamie Dornan, though, with Dakota Johnson playing the leading lady Anastasia Steele, who begins her 'Fifty Shades' journey as an awkward outsider and ends it a sex kitten.Spoiler. Alert.While our first taste of Dakota as Anastasia made her appear quite team, we got our first taste of the kinky side of her character when she appeared in a music video for The Weeknd wearing lingerie, rope and... well, that was about it actually. (credit:Bauer-Griffin via Getty Images)
4. It hits UK cinemas on 13 February(04 of14)
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As we're sure you might have noticed, that means it's out right in time for Valentine's Day, if you want to treat the one you love to an eye-opening cinematic experience.Whatever happened to a box of Milk Tray and some petrol station flowers, eh? (credit:Joe Raedle via Getty Images)
5. Other actors also make an appearance...(05 of14)
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Because two hours of non-stop handcuffing and cries of "oh my!" do not a film make, other stars have been drafted in to help carry the so-called "plot".Eloise Mumford takes on the role of Anastasia's best friend, Kate, while José, who fans of the book will remember as another of her love interests, is played by Victor Rasuk.
6. ...alongside one seriously dodgy wig.(06 of14)
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Of course, the supporting cast member we're most excited about is Rita Ora, who plays Christian's adopted sister, Mia.We're not sure exactly what this dodgy wig brings to the party, but we're pleased to see Mystic Meg's influence is still alive and well. (credit:Warner Bros.)
7. There's a load of sex in it(07 of14)
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And not just any sex, either - in the first full trailer alone we see Anastasia blindfolded, tied to a bed and tickled with a riding crop. 'Snow White And The Seven Dwarves' this ain't.The film's sexual content has even earned it an '18' rating from the BBFC, which basically means it's adults-only, and therefore probably not for the faint-hearted. (credit:Warner Bros.)
8. ...but not as much nudity as you might like(08 of14)
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Despite the high sexual content of the film, Jamie Dornan has been careful to point out that his "todger" (his word) will not be making an appearance. (credit:Warner Bros.)
9. There are no jellyfish in it(09 of14)
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True, when we think "jellyfish", the first thing we think of isn't exactly "erotica", but director Sam Taylor-Johnson has admitted that if she'd had her way there would have been a sex scene involving jellyfish, as part of one of Anastasia's dream sequences.However, this ended up not going ahead. She told The Guardian: "there was a scene when we go into Anastasia's world and her head, and we just had these jellyfish on the screen. It was beautiful, very impressionistic. Everyone went, 'What the f**k are those jellyfish doing there?'" (credit:YASSER AL-ZAYYAT via Getty Images)
10. Nor are there any tampons(10 of14)
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We were actually quite relieved to learn that one notorious moment from the 'Fifty Shades' novel - where Christian tugs on Anastasia's "blue string" before they get down to it - was not transferred to the big screen. (credit:Warner Bros.)
11. What it lacks in tampons it makes up for in great music...(11 of14)
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The 'Fifty Shades' soundtrack boasts some of the biggest names in music, including Ellie Goulding, Sia, The Rolling Stones and Jessie Ware.Beyoncé also recorded her debut solo single 'Crazy In Love' especially for the film, 10 years after its initial release. (credit:Jim McIsaac via Getty Images)
13. 'Fifty Shades' taught Jamie Dornan some new skills(12 of14)
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To prepare for the part of Christian Grey, Jamie Dornan says he visted sex dungeons to chat to real-life dominants about how he could portray the role as accurately as possible.He also became something of an expert at knot-tieing, which should come in handy if he ever fancies a change of career and decides to lead a troop of Cub Scouts. (credit:Warner Bros.)
14. There's even Oscar buzz!(13 of14)
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True, in the eyes of a lot of people 'Fifty Shades' is among the worst books ever written, but that doesn't mean the film adaptation needs to follow suit.In fact, screenwriter Kelly Marcel has even suggested that Jamie could bag an Academy Award for his portrayal of Christian Grey.Admittedly this might seem like an impossibility - but in a world where Rita Ora is literally performing at the Oscars, can you really write anything off anymore? (credit:Warner Bros)
15. Will 'Fifty Shades Darker' And 'Fifty Shades Freed' Be Getting The Film Treatment?(14 of14)
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The short answer is "no", but presumably if the first film is a hit with critics and audiences (hey, hey, hey - we said "if"!), then the following two installments could be next. (credit:SAUL LOEB via Getty Images)

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