With the success of Fifty Shades Of Grey, Universal is naturally ploughing ahead with the sequel (and, potentially, a third film shot back to back). Since Sam Taylor Johnson famously clashed with novelist E.L. James, the hunt has been on for a new director ready for **Fifty Shades Darker **and according to Deadline, James Foley is the top choice for the job.
Foley, who has directed the likes of Fear, Glen Garry Glen Ross, After Dark, My Sweet, Perfect Stranger and Confidence, was apparently among a small group of filmmakers in contention, and has broken from the pack to become Universal’s preferred candidate. But negotiations still have to lock in a deal, and there’s some consideration whether the studio wants to make just Darker or add Fifty Shades Freed to the schedule, and keep Dakota Johnson and Jamie Dornan in place. Which could also help them stay engaged with their characters.
This time around, James’ husband Niall Leonard is on script duty for the film, which will continue the passionate, complicated relationship between Johnson’s Anastasia Steele and Dornan’s Christian Grey. **Fifty Shades Darker **is darkening our cinemas on February 10, 2017, with **Fifty Shades Freed **set for February 9, 2018.
Foley has more recently been working on television, directing episodes of Hannibal, Wayward Pines and, most regularly, House Of Cards.