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Bret Easton Ellis slams 50 Shades writer

Los Angeles - Bret Easton Ellis has slammed the decision to appoint Kelly Marcel as the screenwriter for the Fifty Shades of Grey movie.

The author, best known for his cult novels American Psycho and Less Than Zero, has previously taken to his Twitter account to reveal he is desperate to pen the script for the hotly anticipated big screen adaptation of EL James' erotic novel, but after news broke that the Terra Nova creator has been given the job he has hit out at Universal and Focus Features' decision.

In a series of tweets, he wrote: "Kelly Marcel?!? KELLY MARCEL?!? Kelly Marcel is WRITING the script for "Fifty Shades of Grey"?!? THIS is the movie they want to make? ARGH.

'Major disappointment'

"Kelly Marcel: the creator of (gulp) "Terra Nova" and a Mary Poppins bio-pic has been blessed by EL James and no one can stop her. Dear God. (sic)"

Bret previously suggested Scarlett Johansson or Kristen Stewart should play the part of college graduate Anastasia Steele in the film adaptation of James' bestselling book - which details Ana's S&M relationship with manipulative billionaire Christian Grey - but he revealed in August he had been ruled out of writing the screenplay.

He tweeted: "It's a very major disappointment to announce that I've somehow been taken off the list of possible screenwriters for Fifty Shades of Grey... (sic)"

He then messaged the author, writing: "I hope you find someone as passionate as I was about "Fifty Shades of Grey." I will miss it. Moving on. Laters, baby... (sic)"

'Depth and passion'

Despite Bret's criticism, Kelly has been given the full support of Michael De Luca and Dana Brunetti, who are both on board to produce the movie.

Michael said: "Kelly's work demonstrates her flawless structural technique and passionate commitment to emotion, humour and depth of character, which is particularly visible in the celebrated screenplay for the upcoming Saving Mr Banks."

Dana added: "We were all taken with the depth and passion of Kelly's engagement with the characters and world EL James has created and we knew she was the right person to augment our Fifty Shades family."

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