Universal may have finally found a director for its FIFTY SHADES OF GREY sequel. Deadline is reporting that James Foley has "emerged as the clear frontrunner" to helm FIFTY SHADES DARKER, and while there's speculation he may also direct the final installment, FIFTY SHADES FREED, "that is still yet to be worked out on whether the studio goes for a back-to-back climax of the series."
If James Foley does sign on for the follow-up, he'll be taking over for FIFTY SHADES OF GREY director Sam Taylor-Johnson, and he will be directing from a script by Niall Leonard, husband to E.L. James, the author of the trilogy. Foley has directed feature films such as PERFECT STRANGER, CONFIDENCE, THE CORRUPTOR, FEAR and GLENGARRY GLEN ROSS, as well as episodes of House of Cards, Hannibal and Twin Peaks.
FIFTY SHADES DARKER is scheduled to open on February 10, 2017, while FIFTY SHADES FREED is set to hit theaters on February 9, 2018.