Joe Wright looks set to be the top choice to direct a '50 Shades Of Grey' film.
The Anna Karenina director is thought to be the favourite to lead the erotic novel's screen adaptation, according to Variety.
Universal and Focus Features, who are making the film of EL James' best seller, haven't confirmed Joe has been hired yet but the Hollywood rumour is that the job is his.
Joe Wright with Keira Knightley
The search has been on for a while to find a director who could make the "mummy porn" tale look classy.
Other names in the hat were said to include Monster director Patty Jenkins, Twilight: Breaking Dawn's Bill Condon, Moneyball's Bennett Miller and Good Will Hunting director Gus Van Sant.
Steven Soderbergh (Ocean's Eleven) was said to be in the running, too.
Writer Kelly Marcel is still working on the script and the producers have been confirmed as The Social Network team Michael De Luca and Dana Brunetti, leaving the way open for casting characters Christian Grey and Anastasia Steele to begin.
Last month, The Wrap reported that Van Sant was so keen to get the directing job he had even shot a scene to send in as a test tape for the job. He is said to have cast Magic Mike star Alex Pettyfer in the role of Christian Grey.
50 Shades Of Grey by EL James became the best-selling book of all time in Britain last year, overtaking The Highway Code and Harry Potter.
Could Alex Pettyfer play Christian Grey?
Alex Pettyfer
Beastly(01 of40)
MONTREAL - MARCH 5: Alex Pettyfer as Kyle Kingson in CBS Films' 'Beastly.' (Photo by Takashi Seida/CBS via Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
24th Annual GLAAD Media Awards Presented By Ketel One And Wells Fargo - Backstage(02 of40)
LOS ANGELES, CA - APRIL 20: Actor Alex Pettyfer attends the 24th Annual GLAAD Media Awards presented by Ketel One and Wells Fargo at JW Marriott Los Angeles at L.A. LIVE on April 20, 2013 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Jason Merritt/Getty Images for GLAAD) (credit:Getty Images)
Film Independent's 2012 Los Angeles Film Festival Premiere Of Warner Bros. Pictures' "Magic Mike" - Arrivals(03 of40)
LOS ANGELES, CA - JUNE 24: Actor Alex Pettyfer arrives at the closing night gala premiere of 'Magic Mike' at the 2012 Los Angeles Film Festiva held at Regal Cinemas L.A. Live on June 24, 2012 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Jason Merritt/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
2012 Los Angeles Film Festival - Closing Night Gala Premiere "Magic Mike" - Arrivals(04 of40)
LOS ANGELES, CA - JUNE 24: Actor Alex Pettyfer arrives at the closing night gala premiere of 'Magic Mike' at the 2012 Los Angeles Film Festiva held at Regal Cinemas L.A. Live on June 24, 2012 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Alberto E. Rodriguez/WireImage) (credit:Getty Images)
14th Annual Young Hollywood Awards - Arrivals(05 of40)
HOLLYWOOD, CA - JUNE 14: Actor Alex Pettyfer arrives at the 14th Annual Young Hollywood Awards at Hollywood Athletic Club on June 14, 2012 in Hollywood, California. (Photo by Gregg DeGuire/WireImage) (credit:Getty Images)
14th Annual Young Hollywood Awards Presented By Bing - Show(06 of40)
HOLLYWOOD, CA - JUNE 14: Actor Alex Pettyfer accepts Superstar of Tomorrow Award during the 14th Annual Young Hollywood Awards presented by Bing at Hollywood Athletic Club on June 14, 2012 in Hollywood, California. (Photo by Mark Davis/Getty Images For Hollywood Life) (credit:Getty Images)
Grand Opening Of Robert Earl's Planet Dailies/Mixology 101(07 of40)
LOS ANGELES, CA - APRIL 05: Actor Alex Pettyfer attends the grand opening party for Robert Earl's Planet Dailies/Mixology 101 on April 5, 2012 in Los Angeles, United States. (Photo by Jason LaVeris/FilmMagic) (credit:Getty Images)
Planet Dailies And Mixology 101 Grand Opening(08 of40)
LOS ANGELES, CA - APRIL 05: Actor Alex Pettyfer arrives at the Planet Dailies And Mixology 101 Grand Opening held at Planet Dailies & Mixology 101 on April 5, 2012 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Jerod Harris/Getty Images for Mixology 101) (credit:Getty Images)
Karma Foundation's 6th Annual Kandyland Event At The Playboy Mansion(09 of40)
BEVERLY HILLS, CA - JUNE 25: Actor Alex Pettyfer attends the Karma Foundation's 6th Annual Kandyland Event at The Playboy Mansion on June 25, 2011 in Beverly Hills, California. (Photo by Charley Gallay/WireImage) (credit:Getty Images)
Esquire June Issue - Launch Party(10 of40)
LONDON, ENGLAND - MAY 05: (EMBARGOED FOR PUBLICATION IN UK TABLOID NEWSPAPERS UNTIL 48 HOURS AFTER CREATE DATE AND TIME. MANDATORY CREDIT PHOTO BY DAVE M. BENETT/GETTY IMAGES REQUIRED) Actor Alex Pettyfer attends the launch of Esquire Magazine's June issue hosted by the magazine's new editor Alex Bilmes and singer Lily Allen on May 5, 2011 in London, England. (Photo by Dave M. Benett/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
"I Am Number Four" Madrid Photocall(11 of40)
Actor Alex Pettyfer attends a photocall for 'Soy El Numero Cuatro' (I Am Number Four) at the Santo Mauro Hotel on March 16, 2011 in Madrid, Spain. (credit:Getty Images)
'I Am Number Four' Madrid Photocall(12 of40)
MADRID, SPAIN - MARCH 16: Actor Alex Pettyfer attends 'I Am Number Four' (Soy el Numero Cuatro) photocall at Santo Mauro Hotel on March 16, 2011 in Madrid, Spain. (Photo by Carlos Alvarez/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
Candie's Presents The Premiere Of "Beastly" Starring Vanessa Hudgens And Alex Pettyfer(13 of40)
Actor Alex Pettyfer arrives at Candie's Presents the Premiere of 'Beastly' starring Vanessa Hudgens and Alex Pettyfer on February 24, 2011 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Michael Kovac/WireImage) (credit:Getty Images)
"Beastly" Los Angeles Premiere - Red Carpet(14 of40)
Alex Pettyfer attends the 'Beastly' Los Angeles Premiere held at The Grove on February 24, 2011 in Los Angeles, California. (credit:Getty Images)
(15 of40)
This film image released by Warner Bros. shows Alex Pettyfer in a scene from "Magic Mike." (AP Photo/Warner Bros., Glen Wilson) (credit:AP)
"I Am Number Four" Cast Meet And Greet At Hot Topic - Hollywood, CA(16 of40)
Actor Alex Pettyfer attends the 'I Am Number Four' cast meet and greet at Hot Topic on February 12, 2011 in Hollywood, California. (credit:Getty Images)
"I Am Number Four" World Premiere(17 of40)
WESTWOOD, CA - FEBRUARY 9: Alex Pettyfer arrives at the World Premiere of 'I Am Number Four' at the Village Theater on February 9, 2011 in Westwood, California. (Photo by Gregg DeGuire/FilmMagic) (credit:Getty Images)
"I Am Number Four" Los Angeles Premiere - Arrivals(18 of40)
WESTWOOD, CA - FEBRUARY 09: Alex Pettyfer arrives at the 'I Am Number Four' Los Angeles premiere at Mann's Village Theatre on February 9, 2011 in Westwood, California. (Photo by Jeffrey Mayer/WireImage) (credit:Getty Images)
Alex Pettyfer Visits Planet Hollywood - February 7, 2011(19 of40)
NEW YORK, NY - FEBRUARY 07: Actor Alex Pettyfer visits Planet Hollywood on February 7, 2011 in New York City. (Photo by Gary Gershoff/WireImage) (credit:Getty Images)
The Apple Store Soho Presents Meet The Filmmakers: D.J. Caruso & Alex Pettyfer(20 of40)
NEW YORK, NY - FEBRUARY 04: Alex Pettyfer visit the Apple Store Soho on February 4, 2011 in New York City. (Photo by Eugene Gologursky/WireImage) (credit:Getty Images)
Stars Of DreamWorks Pictures' "I Am Number Four" Sign Autographs For Fans At Hot Topic(21 of40)
SAN FRANCISCO, CA - JANUARY 29: Alex Pettyfer star of the suspense thriller I AM NUMBER FOUR, makes an appearance at Hot Topic in San Francisco to sign autographs for fans on January 29, 2011 in San Francisco, California. DreamWorks Pictures? I AM NUMBER FOUR opens nationwide in theatres on Friday, February 18th. (Photo by Araya Diaz/WireImage) (credit:Getty Images)
Actor Alex Pettyfer Visits Young Hollywood Studios(22 of40)
LOS ANGELES, CA - JANUARY 22: (EXCLUSIVE COVERAGE) Actor Alex Pettyfer visits YoungHollywood.com at Young Hollywood Studio on January 22, 2011 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Michael Kovac/FilmMagic) (credit:Getty Images)
68th Annual Golden Globe Awards - Arrivals(23 of40)
Actor Alex Pettyfer arrives at the 68th Annual Golden Globe Awards held at The Beverly Hilton hotel on January 16, 2011 in Beverly Hills, California. (credit:Getty Images)
Alex Pettyfer Portrait Session(24 of40)
BEVERLY HILLS, CA - NOVEMBER 20: Alex Pettyfer poses for a photo during a portrait session at the Four Seasons Hotel in Beverly Hills, California on November 20, 2010. (Photo by Munawar Hosain/Fotos International/Getty Images) Reproduction by American tabloids is absolutely forbidden. (credit:Getty Images)
ShoWest 2010 Final Night Talent Awards(25 of40)
LAS VEGAS, NV - MARCH 18: Vanessa Hudgens and Alex Pettyfer attend the ShoWest 2010 Final Night Talent Awards held at the Paris Las Vegas Hotel in Las Vegas, Nevada on March 18, 2010. (Photo by Gregg DeGuire/FilmMagic) (credit:Getty Images)
CBS Films Introduces Their Upcoming Films at ShoWest 2010(26 of40)
LAS VEGAS, NV - MARCH 18: Alex Pettyfer attends CBS Films ShoWest 2010 Luncheon as they introduce upcoming films at the Paris Las Vegas Hotel in Las Vegas, Nevada on March 18, 2010. (Photo by Gregg DeGuire/FilmMagic) (credit:Getty Images)
ShoWest 2010 - Day 4(27 of40)
LAS VEGAS - MARCH 18: Actor Alex Pettyfer arrives at the CBS Films presentation to promote his upcoming movie 'Beastly' at the Paris Las Vegas during ShoWest, the official convention of the National Association of Theatre Owners, March 18, 2010 in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Photo by Ethan Miller/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
ShoWest 2010 Awards Ceremony - Arrivals(28 of40)
LAS VEGAS - MARCH 18: Actor Alex Pettyfer, recipient of the Male Star of Tomorrow Award, arrives at the ShoWest awards ceremony at the Paris Las Vegas during ShoWest, the official convention of the National Association of Theatre Owners, March 18, 2010 in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Photo by Ethan Miller/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
Beastly(29 of40)
MONTREAL - MARCH 5: Alex Pettyfer as Kyle Kingson in CBS Films' 'Beastly.' (Photo by Takashi Seida/CBS via Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
"Vanity Fair Portraits: Photographs 1913-2008" Exhibit Grand Open(30 of40)
LOS ANGELES, CA - OCTOBER 21: Actor Alex Pettyfer attends the 'Vanity Fair Portraits: Photographs 1913-2008' Exhibit grand opening party at the Los County Museum of Art on October 21, 2008 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Frederick M. Brown/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
Righteous Kill Premiere - London(31 of40)
Alex Pettyfer Attends The Uk Premiere Of 'Righteous Kill' At The Empire Cinema, Leicester Square. (Photo by Antony Jones/UK Press via Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
Righteous Kill - UK Premiere - Outside Arrivals(32 of40)
LONDON - SEPTEMBER 14: Alex Pettyfer attends the Righteous Kill premiere at Empire Leicester Square on September 14, 2008 in London, England. (Photo by Mike Marsland/WireImage) (credit:Getty Images)
National Movie Awards 2008 - London(33 of40)
Alex Pettyfer Arrives At The National Movie Awards 2008, At The Royal Festival Hall On The South Bank In Central London. (Photo by Antony Jones/UK Press via Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
11th British Academy Children's Film & Television Awards - Arrivals(34 of40)
LONDON - NOVEMBER 26: (UK TABLOID NEWSPAPERS OUT) Actor Alex Pettyfer arrives at the 11th British Academy Children's Film & Television Awards at the Park Lane Hilton hotel on November 26, 2006 in London, England. (Photo by Claire Greenway/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
The Weinstein Company's Premiere of "Alex Ryder: Operation Stormbreaker" - Inside Arrivals(35 of40)
Alex Pettyfer during The Weinstein Company's Premiere of 'Alex Ryder: Operation Stormbreaker' - Inside Arrivals at The Intrepid Sea Air & Space Museum in New York, New York, United States. (Photo by Sylvain Gaboury/FilmMagic) (credit:Getty Images)
The Weinstein Company's Premiere of "Alex Ryder: Operation Stormbreaker" - Inside Arrivals(36 of40)
Alex Pettyfer during The Weinstein Company's Premiere of 'Alex Ryder: Operation Stormbreaker' - Inside Arrivals at The Intrepid Sea Air & Space Museum in New York, New York, United States. (Photo by Sylvain Gaboury/FilmMagic) (credit:Getty Images)
"Alex Rider: Operation Stormbreaker" Press Conference with Cast and Crew(37 of40)
Alex Pettyfer during 'Alex Rider: Operation Stormbreaker' Press Conference with Alicia Silverstone, Alex Pettyfer, Missi Pyle, Geoffrey Sax and Anthony Horowitz at Four Season in Beverly Hills, California, United States. (Photo by Vera Anderson/WireImage) (credit:Getty Images)
31st Annual Toronto International Film Festival - "Alex Rider: Operation Stormbreaker" Portraits(38 of40)
Alex Pettyfer (Photo by Jeff Vespa/WireImage) (credit:Getty Images)
TIFF Portrait Session for "Alex Rider: Operation Stormbreaker"(39 of40)
TORONTO - SEPTEMBER 12: Actor Alex Pettyfer of the film ?Alex Rider: Operation Stormbreaker? poses for portraits in the Chanel Celebrity Suite at the Four Season hotel during the Toronto International Film Festival on September 12, 2006 in Toronto, Canada. (Photo by Carlo Allegri/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
Stormbreaker Uk Film Premiere(40 of40)
Alex Pettyfer Attends The 'Stormbreaker' Uk Film Premiere At The Vue Cinema In London'S West End. (Photo by Justin Goff\UK Press via Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)