'Fifty Shades Darker' is an upcoming sequel to 2015's blockbuster hit and will be filmed back-to-back with 'Fifty Shades Freed' beginning in early 2016. James Foley is confirmed to be replacing Sam Taylor-Johnson as director. Dakota Johnson and Jamie Dornan will return to reprise their roles as lovers Ana and Christisan.
According to Cosmopolitan, the sequel to the 2015 erotic drama 'Fifty Shades of Grey' will be filmed together with the last film in the cinematic trilogy. Starting 2016, 'Fifty Shades Darker' and 'Fifty Shades Freed' will begin principal photography in time for a scheduled 2017 and 2018 release respectively. James Foley will be helming the new films in replacement of Sam Taylor-Johnson who exited the project due to creative differences with author E.L. James.
The first film reportedly earned a substantial amount in the box office despite procuring generally negative reviews. According to Screen Rant, 'Fifty Shades of Grey' managed to rake in $570 million against a $40 million budget. It is currently the seventh highest grossing film of 2015.
Jamie Dornan and Dakota Johnson will be returning to reprise their roles as the lovers Christian Grey and Anastasia Steele respectively, according to Variety. Although new characters will be introduced - such as Elena Lincoln and Jack Hyde - no official casting news have been announced as of the present. Michael De Luca and Dana Brunetti will return as producers while E.L. James' husband Niall Leonard will be penning the scripts for both the second and third films.
The first cinematic release introduced Christian and Anastasia as two consenting adults entangled in a sado-masochistic relationship. It is based on the 2011 novel of the same name, which tackles intimate practices of bondage, discipline, as well as dominance and submission. Casting proved to be interesting, with actors such as Ian Somerhalder, Charlie Hunnam and Chase Crawford considered for Christian's part and Alicia Vikander, Elizabeth Olsen and Emilia Clarke for Ana's part.
'Fifty Shades Darker' is an upcoming sequel to the live-action adaptation based on the E.L. James' best-selling erotic novels. It is scheduled to be released on February 10, 2017. The third film, 'Fifty Shades Freed' is slated to debut in theaters sometime in 2018.
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