“Fifty Shades Of Grey” author E.L. James didn’t make any casting announcements about the film version of her hit novel at San Diego’s 2013 Comic-Con, but she did reveal why Sam Taylor-Johnson landed the directing gig.

Vulture ran into James at Entertainment Weekly’s Comic-Con bash and managed to get the author to dish on why she chose Taylor-Johnson to direct one of the most highly anticipated movies of 2014. According to the Christian Grey character's creator, she didn’t do the choosing.

“Actually, it’s not just me!” E.L. James told Vulture. “Everybody keeps asking, ‘Why did you decide …’ It wasn’t just me! There’s a huge friggin’ studio behind this.”

So although James can’t take full credit for casting the director, she is definitely a fan of Sam Taylor-Johnson’s work. “I saw both of her films, and I was blown away,” James said. “[It's] simple. She’s creative, incredibly talented, she’s got an extraordinary eye. She had a good idea about the whole ‘Fifty’ experience, she understands it.”

But Taylor-Johnson’s work as a professional isn’t the only thing that James liked. “And I thought, ‘There’s a woman I can go and get drunk with,’” the “Fifty Shades Of Grey” author added.

Taylor-Johnson will work alongside Kelly Marcel, who is adapting the erotic novel into a screenplay. Michael De Luca, Dana Brunetti and E.L. James will produce the film.

In late June, Focus Features announced on the movie's Facebook page that the North American release of “Fifty Shades Of Grey” will open in theaters on Aug. 1 2014. While rumors have been circulating that James would say at Comic-Con which actors are portraying Christian Grey and Anastasia Steele, the author made no casting announcements and instead tweeted: “I dunno where this rumour started that the cast would be revealed at Comic Con … but it is just that -- a rumour. (Sighs).”

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