It will be interesting to see how the sequel to FIFTY SHADES OF GREY performs once it's released, the first film premiered less than a year ago and was a huge box-office success but the heat around the franchise seems to have cooled considerably in the interim. FIFTY SHADES DARKER and FIFTY SHADES FREED will be filmed back-to-back under director James Foley using scripts by Niall Leonard, and with production on both films set to get underway this spring, it's been announced that a key character will be joining in on the fun.
Variety reports that Kim Basinger will enter the FIFTY SHADES OF GREY franchise as Elena Lincoln, Christian Grey’s (Jamie Dornan) business partner and former lover. Kim Basinger's new character was apparently hinted at in the first film, which was to set up what should be a big reveal in FIFTY SHADES DARKER.
In other casting news, Variety also reports that Rebecca Ferguson (MISSION: IMPOSSIBLE – ROGUE NATION) has been set to star in LIFE from director Daniel Espinosa (CHILD 44). The film comes from a script by Paul Wernick and Rhett Reese (DEADPOOL) and follows "the crew of the International Space Station, who, after retrieving a sample from Mars, discover that it displays signs of life, and proves to be more intelligent than expected." Ferguson's career has certainly blown up following her excellent work in MISSION: IMPOSSIBLE – ROGUE NATION, the actress will be appearing in THE GIRL ON THE TRAIN opposite Emily Blunt, THE SNOWMAN opposite Michael Fassbender, and is said to be reprising her role of Ilsa Faust in MISSION: IMPOSSIBLE 6. Busy, busy.
FIFTY SHADES DARKER is set for a February 10, 2017 release with FIFTY SHADES FREED concluding the franchise on February 9, 2018.