E.L. James Posts 'Fifty Shades Darker' and 'Freed' Teases With Sequel Director
E.L. James, you are such a tease! (And that's how you got rich.) The next movie in the "Fifty Shades of Grey" trilogy -- "Fifty Shades Darker" -- isn't scheduled for release until February 10, 2017. But wheels appear to be in motion, since author E.L. James just shared three interesting photos on Instagram, including one with movie No. 2 director James Foley. Is he also going to direct No. 3?
Foley is scheduled to direct "Darker," based on the second book in James's series. The third book/movie, "Fifty Shades Freed," has a release date of February 9, 2018. Niall Leonard, who is also James's husband, has been announced as the writer for "Darker." But perhaps both are meant to join the team for No. 3.
Leonard and Foley are together in a photo James recently shared, after she posted a teaser just showing her "Darker" and "Freed" book covers, and a shot at Comcast NBCUniversal (which suggests some sequel-talk meetings with studio execs):
So ... is that an announcement that James Foley is the guy for FSD and FSF and Leonard is also writing the final script? Or is this just meant to show fans that progress is happening on the second film, even if we won't see it for a long time?
Star Dakota Johnson (Ana) told Ellen they wouldn't start shooting the second movie, "Darker," until sometime in the new year. In late September, producer Dana Brunetti shot down a casting rumor to E!, saying they were "nowhere near casting" for the second movie, beyond the main roles that were carrying over from "Fifty Shades of Grey." But it looks like, at the very least, some script talks for both Movie 2 and Movie 3 are being held between the dream team of the book author, the screenwriter, and the director.
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