Fifty Shades of Grey look a right critical kicking, but that didn't stop fans turning out in their droves and turning the bestselling book into a full blown franchise.

While stars Dakota Johnson and Jamie Dornan are locked for the series, original helmer Sam Taylor-Johnson pulled out over alleged friction with author EL James. Her husband, Niall Leonard wrote the script this time out. 

Now, House of Cards regular James Foley is reportedly extremely close to finalising a deal to take the sequel, Fifty Shades Darker. Foley has done some superb work over the years with an obvious highlight being Glengarry Glen Ross. He's been a mainstay in Hollywood for over 3 decades so is an experienced, steady hand. 

We're not saying it's going to be good, but they have an extremely solid director in place who maybe able to iron out some of the eh, kinks, in the script.

Sorry, not sorry.

The film will go into production early next year for a release in February 2017. 

Via Variety