'Fifty Shades of Grey' Fast Facts

It’s a literary sensation and as the film version hits cinemas, here are just some of the amazing facts behind the phenomenon.

• Author EL James was originally a TV executive and 'Fifty Shades of Grey' was her first novel.

• She has two kids, is married to a writer and lives in West London.

• Contrary to popular belief, James never self-published the books in their final form. Her stories started out as 'Twilight' fan fiction, but the novels were then picked up and originally published by a tiny Australian imprint.

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• The fan fiction story was called 'Master Of The Universe'.

• James's trilogy (which includes 'Fifty Shades Darker' and 'Fifty Shades Freed') have sold more than 100m copies around the world.

• The series has been translated into 52 languages.

• In 2012, Time magazine named James one of their Most Influential People Of The Year.

• British actor Charlie Hunnam was initially cast as Christian Grey in the film adaptation, but had to drop out over scheduling.

• Dakota Johnson, who plays Anastasia Steele in the movie, is the daughter of Don Johnson and Melanie Griffith.

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• For the initial audition, actresses had to read a speech from an Ingmar Bergman film called 'Persona'.

• The movie's trailer was the most-viewed of 2014.

• Pop star Rita Ora has a supporting role in the film as Mia Grey.

• The movie soundtrack includes songs from Ellie Goulding, Beyonce and Frank Sinatra and Sia.

• The big-screen adaptation was primarily shot in Vancouver.

• James has also collected a classical album of music to accompany the book, which features one of Chopin's Préludes and Johann Pachelbel's Canon and Gigue, as well as a recently published collection of the sheet music for piano.

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• The film is made by women – It is based on a book written by a woman (E.L. James), the screenplay is by a woman (Kelly Marcel), and the director is a woman (Sam Taylor-Johnson).

• Taylor-Johnson previously directed John Lennon biopic 'Nowhere Boy' which starred real-life husband Aaron Taylor-Johnson.

• The director, who used to be an artist, called in favours from her mates, among others to fit out billionaire Christian's apartment. That's why you'll see work by :
o Harland Miller
o Ed Ruscha
o John Baldessari
o Gary Hume
o Georgie Hopton
o Michael Joo
o Jake and Dinos Chapman

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• EL James has revealed she often writes to music. One of her favourites is 'Sexy' by The Black Eyed Peas.

• EL James's original pen-name was Snowqueen's Icedragon.

• There is a musical parody based on the book.

• While there are no specific plans, James hasn't ruled out returning to Ana and Christian's story in the future.

• Despite clamour for a novel from Christian's perspective, the author has suggested it’s unlikely.

• 'Fifty Shades Of Grey' is being released on February 12, 2015.