The Dakota Johnson and James Dornan starrer Fifty Shades of Grey was a monumental success upon release. Based on the novel of the same name by EL James, the film was the first of a trilogy of erotic thrillers that collectively earned over $1.3 billion at the global box office. The first film alone earned over $500 million.
The USP of the Fifty Shades series is, of course, the s*x scenes involving Johnson and Dornan. The first film included a total of seven s*x scenes in the film and a whole bunch of n*dity for both the actors. Johnson especially mentioned how she wanted to do it for real and give her everything for the scenes. However, the actress was forced to use a double for one of the s*x scenes.
Dakota Johnson’s Commitment To The Role
EL James’ Fifty Shades series follows the story of Anastasia Steele, a literature student who goes to interview Christian Grey, a businessman. She is immediately attracted to him, which he reciprocates. However, he reveals that they could try their relationship but on his terms, with the terms being his need for control. What follows is an erotic tale that is filled with the couple’s BDSM desires.
Dakota Johnson stars as the protagonist Anastasia while Jamie Dornan plays Christian Grey. Subsequent films in the romantic series then follow the various obstacles the couple faces during their relationship and subsequent marriage. The highlight of the series is the extremely vivid s*x scenes that depict usually taboo practices such as BDSM.
Actress Dakota Johnson was hired after the role went to many actresses such as Emilia Clarke, Imogen Poots, and Elizabeth Olsen. She was apparently director Sam Taylor-Johnson’s favorite. While Charles Hunnam was first hired for the role of Christian Grey, he was eventually replaced by Jamie Dornan.
Johnson on many occasions has spoken about her commitment to do the n*de scenes in the film. She outright refuced to use a body double for the scenes, which is the usual practice. Talking to Mirror magazine about the s*x scenes in the film, she said,
“…it would have felt like a cop-out if I did. If I was going to do this job, I was going to do it 100 percent and give it everything. I wanted to be true and honest to the role, and the character. I don’t have a problem with nudity. I think it is beautiful and so I was OK with that.”
However, the actress had to use a body double in one particular scene in Fifty Shades of Grey, the first film in the series.
Dakota Johnson’s B*tt Double In Fifty Shades Of Grey
Cinematographer Seamus McGarvey, who serves as the director of photography for the first film revealed that the crew had to use a body double for one scene. The scene in question had a shot of Anastasia Steele’s b*tt and was impossible for Johnson to be a part of because of a tattoo she had on her rear.
McGarvey, in an interview with New York Times, said this,
“We did have a butt double for Dakota. I had the pleasure of casting a non-tattooed bottom.”
The cinematographer said that the character having a tattoo did not fit in with the narrative of Anastasia being more innocent. Hence, they had to search for a body double for the scene. He also talks about some of the unusual decisions he and the crew had to make during the shoot of Fifty Shades of Grey,
“[Johnson] had kind of a patch that went over her pubic area, and right round her whole body. We were in the curious situation, in postproduction, of adding [pubic hair]”
Seamus McGarvey did not return for the sequels, neither did director Sam Taylor-Johnson. While it is not known whether subsequent films used a double for the n*de scenes, actress Dakota Johnson’s enthusiasm for delivering her hundred percent seemed to have worked in their favor as the trilogy has collectively earned over $1.3 billion dollars.
Source: ET
