There's an Alternate 'Fifty Shades' Ending You're Not Going to See, and It's Causing Quite the Stir

published 6 February 2015

[If, by this point, you still care about what happens in Fifty Shades plot-wise, read on at your own risk.]

One monosyllabic word is getting a lot of people invested in Fifty Shades really worked up—and this time, it's not "penis" or "pouch."

When the movie opens Feb. 13, it will be author E L James's original ending viewers see, not the hipper, hookier version director Sam Taylor-Johnson developed. According to the Hollywood Reporter and a few of those anonymous sources we've come to depend on for information, the film would have concluded with Ana saying "red," her and Christian's safe word, had the creator of this whole phenomenon not put her foot down.

"It ended on a really smart note and Erika wouldn't allow it," says one insider. "It's just a bummer."

Instead, Ana will use the word "stop" and break things off with Christian, leaving an opening for at least a sequel or two. Tough call, we have to say, between staying true to the narrative/yourself and milking a cash cow until it turns into beef jerky. Did Fifty Shades just get way existential? Yes, yes it did.

You should also check out:

Class Act Angelina Jolie Wrote the Most Amazing Email to 'Fifty Shades' Director Sam Taylor-Johnson

Making 'Fifty Shades' Almost Cost Director Sam Taylor-Johnson Her Sanity

Here's How Much Sex Will Actually Be in 'Fifty Shades of Grey'

Chelsea Peng is a writer and editor who was formerly the assistant editor at MarieClaire.com. She's also worked for The Strategist and Refinery29, and is a graduate of Northwestern University. On her tombstone, she would like a GIF of herself that's better than the one that already exists on the Internet and a free fro-yo machine. Besides frozen dairy products, she's into pirates, carbs, Balzac, and snacking so hard she has to go lie down.