Despite the insane success Fifty Shades of Grey enjoyed during its record-breaking $80 million opening weekend, news about a sequel is up in the air. Not only has Universal pictures not committed yet to taking on Fifty Shades Darker, but some say it will be a cold day in hell before director Sam Taylor-Johnson agrees to step foot on the Shades set again.
The relationship between director Sam Taylor-Johnson and novelist EL James is so "toxic" that the two were constantly at each other's throats during the making of the movie (and not in a raunchy, red room kind of way). Rumor has it that James wanted the film's sex scenes to be true to the book, while Taylor-Johnson was serious about making the movie have an actual plot and serve as more than just cheesy soft-core porn (my words, not hers)!
As a result of their constant bickering, Taylor-Johnson reportedly wants out of any commitment to take on more Fifty Shades projects, and I can't say I blame her. Although I empathize with James' desire to stay true to her "baby," directing films is a totally different animal than writing books. She should be more willing to surrender creative control and trust Taylor-Johnson when it comes to the film interpretation of her novels.
With that said, we may be putting the cart before the horse because Universal has yet to even commit to a sequel.
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But who are they kidding? Considering how much revenue this film has raked in over a few short days, they would have to be bananas not to secure the next two sequels.
Any chance Gus Van Sant will take on the next one?
Do you think there will be a Fifty Shades sequel? Who would you like to see direct it?
Image via James Higgins/Splash News