‘Fifty Shades of Grey’: Five things to expect from the erotic drama

“Fifty Shades of Grey” fans are already getting hot and bothered about the big-screen adaptation of E.L. James’ wildly popular erotic novel, which will steam up movie theaters this Valentine’s Day weekend.

We’ve known the basic outline of the film for a while now — model-turned-actor Jamie Dornan plays the kinky billionaire Christian Grey, while Dakota Johnson plays his demure love interest, college student Anastasia Steele — but here are some more recent revelations about the big-screen bodice ripper. (Don’t worry, no spoilers here.)

1. It’s Beyonce-approved

Pop diva Beyonce, who knows a thing or two about setting hearts aflutter, is contributing some of her smoldering songs to the “Fifty Shades” soundtrack. According to director Sam Taylor-Johnson, Queen Bey was treated to an early peek at some footage and gave her stamp of approval.

Taylor-Johnson recalled to The Times, “When the scene finished, Beyonce just went, ‘Wow, that was hot.’”

2. The book’s most infamous scene didn’t make the cut

At least one notorious scene from the book — let’s just say it involves a feminine hygiene product — wasn’t shot for the film. “It was never even discussed,” Taylor-Johnson told Variety. That absent scene notwithstanding, “Fifty Shades” promises to have its share of “strong sexual content” and “unusual behavior” according to the MPAA, which has given the movie an R rating.

3. Jamie Dornan won’t bare all

Moviegoers won’t be seeing all of Dornan in the film — maybe 40, 45 shades’ worth? The actor told the Guardian in November, “There were contracts in place that said that viewers wouldn’t be seeing my, um ….” The interviewer then clarified which body part Dornan was referring to, and it’s the one you’re thinking of.

Fortunately for titillation-minded viewers, Taylor-Johnson told The Times the movie is “dirty but classy” and “feels pretty balanced: a nipple of hers, a butt cheek of his.”

4. The chemistry is great (depending on who you ask)

After previous plans for Charlie Hunnam to play Grey fell through, Dornan landed the part on the strength of his chemistry with Johnson. In October, however, US Weekly reported that reshoots for the film were underway to address a lack of on-screen sparks. Vulture then gleefully offered up a slide show of “15 inanimate objects with more chemistry” than the two leads.

A Universal spokesperson repudiated the notion, telling US Weekly, “No one should question the heat or intensity of our actors.”

5. It’s all about the foreplay

Sometimes there’s nothing more exciting than anticipation. The classic example is “Jaws,” with its tension-ratcheting peekaboo shark. Taylor-Johnson seems to have taken that lesson to heart. Discussing the film’s balance of sex and story, she told Variety, “It’s the buildup that’s interesting.”

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