Bret Easton Ellis: Out of 'Fifty Shades of Grey' Contention

It's Fifty Shades of Nay for Bret Easton Ellis.

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The author and screenwriter has spent weeks excitedly talking about how he would adapt E.L. James' best-seller to the big screen, musing on casting options and the story's similarities to some of his own writing. And while as recently as Sunday he was offering his thoughts on who might play protagonists Christian and Ana (he once suggested David Cronenberg as director), in the wee hours of Tuesday he announced that he was not being considered for the job. 

"It's a very major disappointment to announce that I've somehow been taken off the list of possible screenwriters for Fifty Shades of Grey," he tweeted. "Thanks to the fans for the months of intense support. Your awesome enthusiasm and great suggestions were instructive and meaningful to me."

Ellis also addressed James, writing, "@E_L_James I hope you find someone as passionate as I was about 'Fifty Shades of Grey.' I will miss it. Moving on. Laters, baby..."

Michael De Luca and Dana Brunetti, who worked together on The Social Network, will produce the big screen adaptation for Universal and Focus Features. Universal declined to comment on anything Fifty Shades of Grey.

Easton Ellis is currently in production on his microbudget film with director Paul Schrader, The Canyons, which co-stars Lindsay Lohan and former porn star James Deen.

Here's a run of Ellis' tweets from Tuesday and Sunday night: