After months of speculation as to directors, actors and release dates, we have a director, and now a release date! Now all we need is some lovely actors to fill the roles.

EL JamesEL James wrote some of the best-selling novels of all time

We’re going to have to wait over a year though, as the slated release date is August 1st. Universal Pictures and Focus Features have also acquired the rights to follow-up books Fifty Shades Darker and Fifty Shades Freed. The news comes after a director was announced - Sam Taylor-Johnson. "I am excited to be charged with the evolution of Fifty Shades of Grey from page to screen,” she said at the time. "For the legions of fans, I want to say that I will honour the power of Erika's book and the characters of Christian and Anastasia.

Mila KunisMila Kunis was set for a role, but turned it down

They are under my skin too." Producer Michael De Luca praised the director's "unique ability to gracefully showcase complex relationships dealing with love, emotion and sexual chemistry. EL James's characters and vivid storytelling require a director who is willing to take risks and push the envelope where needed and Sam is a natural fit," he said.

Emma WatsonSo was Emma Watson.

The script for 50 Shades of Grey is being written by Kelly Marcel, who created the US TV series Terra Nova. "Fifty Shades" and the trilogy have been translated in over 50 languages worldwide since its release and has sold more than 70 million copies worldwide in e-book and print, making it one of the fastest-selling book series ever.