This news had been speculated for some time, but now it's officially confirmed - Sam Taylor-Johnson is done with Fifty Shades of Grey.
The director announced today that she will play no part in the sequels and gave a VERY interesting statement that basically throws a massive dig at author EL James.
"Directing Fifty Shades of Grey has been an intense and incredible journey for which I am hugely grateful. I have Universal to thank for that. I forged close and lasting relationships with the cast, producers and crew and most especially, with Dakota and Jamie. While I will not be returning to direct the sequels, I wish nothing but success to whosoever takes on the exciting challenges of films two and three."
No mention of EL James there, right? There's been all sorts of rumblings and rumours coming from the set that the two sparred on a daily basis over the direction of the film and the script itself.
As it stands, EL James is demanding to write the screenplay for the second one. Per her contract with Universal, James has near-unprecedented rights over what goes up on screen.
It's understood that her contract allows her final cut on the script, which means she can pretty much rewrite whatever she wants.
Now that Taylor-Johnson's left the film, who will step in to fill the void? Who wants to commit career suicide? That's the real question, in fairness.
Via Deadline.com
