Summary She came to prominence in the film world with her 2009 feature debut "Nowhere Boy".
LONDON (Reuters) - British artist and filmmaker Sam Taylor-Johnson was named on Thursday as the director of a film adaptation of EL James hit erotic novel "Fifty Shades of Grey", ending months of speculation about the project.
News of Taylor-Johnson s appointment came from the British author who became the publishing sensation of 2012 when her erotic trilogy sold more than 70 million copies worldwide.
"I m delighted & thrilled to let you guys know that Sam Taylor-Johnson has agreed to direct the film of Fifty Shades of Grey," tweeted James.
Taylor-Johnson, 46, made her name as a visual artist, nominated for the prestigious Turner prize in 1998 and whose works include a video portrait of a sleeping David Beckham that is on show in London s National Portrait Gallery.
She came to prominence in the film world with her 2009 feature debut "Nowhere Boy", the story of John Lennon s childhood in Liverpool before he joined the Beatles.
She garnered two BAFTA nominations for the film and last year Taylor-Johnson, formerly known as Sam Taylor-Wood, married the 23-year-old star of the film, star Aaron Johnson.
Taylor-Johnson said she was excited to be charged with the evolution of "Fifty Shades of Grey" from page to screen.
"For the legions of fans, I want to say that I will honor the power of Erika s book and the characters of Christian and Anastasia. They are under my skin too," she said in a statement.
The trilogy follows the sadomasochistic relationship of a 27-year-old billionaire, Christian Grey, and college student Anastasia Steele, gaining attention for its graphic sex scenes.
Universal Pictures, a unit of Comcast Corp, paid $5 million to secure the film rights for the trilogy in March last year.
No actors have yet been announced for the film although a host of names have been suggested for the lead roles.
