( CNN ) -- Writer Kelly Marcel has been tapped to pen the screenplay to the film adaptation of `` Fifty Shades of Grey , '' a wildly popular erotic novel that has sold millions of copies worldwide . The book , by British author Erika Leonard -- who writes under the pseudonym `` E L James '' -- is the first in a trilogy . Universal Pictures and Focus Features acquired the rights to the books in March , and on Monday released a statement announcing Marcel 's inclusion in the project . Michael De Luca and Dana Brunetti are producing the film , along with James . On the scene : E. L. James talks 'Fifty Shaes ' with Katie Couric . `` Kelly 's work demonstrates her flawless structural technique and passionate commitment to emotion , humor and depth of character which is particularly visible in the celebrated screenplay for the upcoming 'Saving Mr. Banks , ' '' De Luca said in the statement . `` Saving Mr. Banks , '' which is currently in production , follows Walt Disney 's 20-year effort to acquire the film rights to `` Mary Poppins . '' It will star Tom Hanks , Emma Thompson and Colin Farrell . Marcel is also known for her work on the Amblin/FOX-TV series `` Terra Nova . '' `` We were all taken with the depth and passion of Kelley 's engagement with the characters and world E L James has created and we knew she was the right person to augment our Fifty Shades family , '' Brunetti said . `` Fifty Shades of Grey '' tells the sexually colorful story of a naive young girl 's energetic trysts with a 27-year-old billionaire , who possesses , according to the author , `` singular erotic tastes . '' The trilogy has been translated in 45 languages and sold more than 32 million copies in the United States alone , the statement said . 'Fifty Shades ' movie finds producers .
Kelly Marcel is known for work on `` Saving Mr. Banks '' and `` Terra Nova '' as well as the upcoming film adaptation of his novel. The `` Fifty Shades '' trilogy has been translated in 45 languages .