Dakota Johnson looks back on filming Fifty shades of gray, what she said was “mayhem” behind the scenes.
in te Vanity Fair the cover story, the actress opened up about starring in the $ 1.3 billion film trilogy, based on EL James’ best-selling books, as Anastasia Steele after being intrigued by director Sam Taylor-Johnson’s vision of a stripped-down version of the book . However, the script would eventually change, with James retaining creative control.
“I signed up to make a very different version of the movie we finally made,” Johnson said. Vanity Fair.
Speaking of James, Johnson said: “She had a lot of creative control, all day, every day, and she just demanded that certain things happen. There were parts of the books that just wouldn’t work in a movie, like the inner monologue, which was incredibly cheesy at times. It will not work to say out loud. It was always a struggle. Always.”
Charlie Hunnam would have originally played alongside Johnson as Christian Gray, but he dropped out, citing a scheduling conflict – Jamie Dornan eventually replaced him. Meanwhile, playwright Patrick Marber reviewed the screenplay, but Johnson explained that James Marber’s screenplay was deleted.
“I was young. I was 23. So it was scary. It just went crazy, ”she reflected. “There were many different differences of opinion. I have never been able to talk honestly about this, because you want to promote a movie in the right way, and I am proud of what we finally made and everything turns out the way it was supposed to, but it was difficult. ”
While filming, Johnson said they would “do the filming of the movie. Lexy Perez Erika wanted to make, and then we would do the recordings of the movie we wanted to make. ” She continued, “The night before, I rewrote scenes with the old dialogue so I could add a line here and there. It was like chaos all the time.”
Despite everything, Johnson has no regrets about making the films: “I do not think it’s a matter of regret. If I had known at the time this was how it was going to be, I do not think anyone would have done it. It would have been like, “Oh, that’s psychotic.” But no, I do not regret it. “
As for speculation that she and co-star Dornan did not get along, Johnson denies the rumors and explains the close bond they had during the filming. “There was never a time we didn’t get along,” she said. “I know it’s strange, but he’s like a brother to me. I love him so much, so, so much. And we were really there for each other. We really had to trust each other and protect each other. ” Johnson also said they “should be a team,” especially since they “did the weirdest things for years.”
Taylor-Johnson did not return for the second film, with James Foley stepping in to direct the next two films, which Johnson recalled felt “different”.
She explained: “Sam did not come back to direct after the first movie, and as a woman she brought a softer perspective. James Foley directed, and he’s an interesting man. It was different to do those bizarre things with a man behind the camera. Just another energy. There are things I still can not say because I do not want to hurt anyone’s career and I do not want to damage anyone’s reputation, but both Jamie and I have been treated very well. Erika is a very kind woman, and she has always been kind to me and I am thankful she wanted me to be in those movies. ”
Overall of the films, Johnson said “it was great for our careers. So impressive. So happy But it was weird. So, so strange. ”