Things didn’t go smoothly with Sam Taylor-Johnson on the set of "Fifty Shades Of Grey": the director clashed with author E.L. James over the adaptation of her "Twilight" fan fiction literary erotica adaptation. Taylor-Johnson made it pretty clear she wouldn’t return for the sequel, and it has taken a while for Universal to sort everything out, including negotiating with James over who should write the script (it will be her husband). But it seems the studio is now ready to find a director to guide the next sexy adventure in this unlikely franchise.
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THR reports that James Foley, Mark Pellington and Tanya Wexler are all up for the gig. Wait, who? Foley is probably the most well known of the three, helming the excellent screen adaptation of David Mamet‘s "Glengarry Glen Ross," along with many episodes of "House Of Cards." Pellington’s best known credits are probably "Arlington Road" and "The Mothman Prophecies," while Wexler directed the Maggie Gyllenhaal -starring sex comedy "Hysteria" a couple years back.
Foley is apparently the frontrunner for the job, but no offers have been made and the process of getting someone officially on board won’t start until next week. So don’t get too hot ‘n heavy just yet. "Fifty Shades Darker" will arrive on February 10, 2017.