Sam Taylor-Johnson Won't Direct 'Fifty Shades Darker'

Deadline - Sam Taylor-Johnson has made official what many suspected. She will not return for the second installment of the film franchise adaptation of E.L. James’ bestseller Fifty Shades Of Grey book trilogy for Universal.

In an exclusive statement to Deadline, Taylor-Johnson said that “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.”

This means Universal will next to find a new filmmaker to take over, after the first installment of the E.L. James book trilogy has already grossed over a half a billion at the worldwide box office. There is no word on a replacement helmer for Part II of the erotic romance series. Jamie Dornan will be back into the fold as billionaire Christian Grey and Dakota Johnson will return as Anastasia Steele. Each is under option deals for the next films.