Sam Taylor News

The British Academy of Film and Television Arts announced the nominations for the 2014 EE British Academy Film Awards (BAFTA) and Gravity leads with 11 nominations, while 12 Years a Slave and American Hustle each received 10 nominations.

We've asked our correspondents to pick out what they're most looking forward to in 2014 - here's reviewer Sarah Flinton's thoughts!

According to Deadline, Callum Keith Rennie (Battlestar Galactica) is the latest actor to sign on for Universal and Focus Features' FIFTY SHADES OF GREY film adaptation. FIFTY SHADES will star Jamie Dornan as Christian Grey alongside Dakota Johnson as Anastasia Steele, with Rennie cast as Steele's stepfather 'Ray Steele'.

According to E! Online, the actor will take on the role of 'Bob, Anastasia Steele's (Dakota Johnson) stepfather and husband to her mother Carla (Jennifer Ehle).'

According to Deadline, Harden has signed on to 'play Dr. Grace Trevelyan Grey, the adoptive physician mama of emotionally damaged billionaire Christian Grey and his siblings Mia and Elliot. Dr. Grace Grey is the pediatrician who cares for 4-year-old Christian when his birth mother (or 'the crack whore,' as Fifty Shades readers know her) dies. She's also the one who inadvertently introduces Christian to his cougar lover Elena from whom he learns his BDSM ways.'

According to Deadline, Ora has signed on to make her feature film debut as Mia, Christian Grey's adopted sister.

Producer Dana Brunetti tweeted a picture today (to the left) along with the caption: 'Here we go.'

A newly commissioned portrait of barrister, politician and broadcaster Baroness Helena Kennedy by light artist Chris Levine has been unveiled at the National Portrait Gallery, London, it was announced today (Thursday 28 November 2013). The portrait was commissioned by the Gallery with the support of J.P. Morgan through the Fund for New Commissions.

Deadline reports that Victor Raskuk will portray romantic rival 'Jose' in the upcoming big screen adaptation of 50 SHADES OF GREY from Universal Pictures and Focus Features.

According to Deadline, Victor Rasuk has signed on to take on the role of Christian Grey's rival, an 'aspiring photographer and classmate of Anastasia, whose close friendship with the young girl - he'd like it to be more - pits him as rival for her affections with Grey, the wealthy businessman whose warped past leaves him with a need to dominate his partners and unable to accept Anastasia on equal terms.'

The Hollywood Reporter reports exclusively that production on the highly anticipated big screen adaptation of 50 SHADES OF GREY will now be delayed by a month.

According to The Hollywood Reporter, the former VANYA AND SONIA AND MASHA AND SPIKE star screen tested on Friday opposite Dakota Johnson and director Sam Taylor-Johnson. Sources suggest that the role of 'Christian Grey' will likely go to Magnussen or THE FALL's Jamie Dornan, after SONS OF ANARCHY's Charlie Hunnam exited the film earlier this month.

According to E! Online, the Tony nominee and former VANYA AND SONIA AND MASHA AND SPIKE star is currently being considered to take on the lead role of 'Christian Grey' in the upcoming film adaptation of E.L. James' FIFTY SHADES OF GREY.

According to The Hollywood Reporter, execs are revisting former favorites for the role, including TRUE BLOOD's Alexander Skarsgard and THE FALL's Jamie Dornan. Others being considered are Theo James and Christian Cooke. Garrett Hedlund, a one-time front-runner for the role, is now out of play, having signed on for Angelina Jolie's UNBROKEN.

Universal Pictures has just confirmed to Variety that Charlie Hunnam who was to star in the upcoming film version of FIFTY SHADES OF GREY has dropped OUT of the picture, citing the old reliable reason of 'scheduling conflicts' with his FX Series, SONS OF ANARCHY. Hunnam was recently seen on the big screen in the sci-film Pacific Rim.

Deadline reports that Jennifer Ehle has signed on for the upcoming FIFTY SHADES OF GREY movie. She will join Dakota Johnson and Charlie Hunnam in the film adaptation of EL James' bestselling, steamy book series, directed by Sam Taylor-Johnson.

Reeve Carney (Spider-Man: Turn Off the Dark), Rory Kinnear (Skyfall) and Harry Treadaway (The Lone Ranger) are the latest stars to join the cast of the highly anticipated Showtime drama series, PENNY DREADFUL, which will begin filming this fall for a 2014 premiere on the network. They join recently announced Josh Hartnett, Timothy Dalton and Eva Green. Reeve Carney will play Dorian Grey in a reprisal of Oscar Wilde's supernaturally attractive and decadent young hero. Rory Kinnear will play a mysterious character of haunting intensity. In an exciting new version of Mary Shelley's inspired and obsessed genius, Harry Treadaway will take on the role of Dr. Victor Frankenstein.

Chicago Shakespeare Theater (CST) launches today its 2013 citywide tour of Chicago Park District neighborhood parks at Eckhart Park (1330 West Chicago Avenue), following two preview performances at Navy Pier's Gateway Park. The Comedy of Errors, this summer's Chicago Shakespeare in the Parks production, is touring FREE FOR ALL to neighborhood parks across Chicago, now through August 25, 2013. Chicago Shakespeare Theater, the City of Chicago, Chicago Park District and leaders of Chicago's corporate community have partnered to expand the Chicago Shakespeare in the Parks program, after its inaugural success in 2012. This summer, Chicagoans will have direct access to their City's cultural resources with a choice of 26 free Shakespeare performances presented in 18 different neighborhood parks.

The global release of FIFTY SHADES OF GREY will start in North America on Friday, August 1st, 2014 with opening dates around the world to be announced.