The search for a director to the sequels to Fifty Shades of Grey has been a difficult one since Sam Taylor-Johnson declined to return after experiencing creative disputes with author and producer E.L. James during the first film’s production. Now it seems that search has seemingly ended with James Foley, known for directing Glengarry Glen Ross and several episodes of House of Cards, signing on to direct both films.
Fifty Shades Darker and Fifty Shades Freed will shoot back-to-back next year for releases on February 10 2017 and February 9 2018 respectively. Both Jamie Dornan and Dakota Johnson are set to return as Christian Grey and Anastasia Steele. Darker is being written by E.L. James’ husband Niall Leonard after the first film’s screenwriter Kelly Marcel also expressed difficulties working with James during pre-production. Whether Foley will be able to circumnavigate James’ interference or also be pushed under the best-selling author’s insistent heel remains to be seen.
Fifty Shades of Grey was released earlier this year to poor reviews but strong box office, raking in $570 million worldwide as part of Universal’s record breaking year for box office that also includes hits like Fast and Furious 7, Jurassic World and Minions. The studio is still betting hard on the erotic romance series, but with production troubles and waning interest in the property they’ll need to act fast before the franchise has all but left the popular conscience.
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