'Fifty Shades Darker' to Start Production Next Year? Release Date, Cast, Plot & Rumors Here!

Have they picked a director already?

Directors are essentials to films, and considering that "Fifty Shades of Grey" director Sam Taylor-Johnson has bowed out of the franchise, the sequel, "Fifty Shades Darker," will need to have a new one. And, to date, no director has been attached to the movie yet.

Despite this, a teaser clip of the upcoming follow-up has been released in April this year. And now, it has been revealed that production may start next year, El Pais said.

"I'm not sure I'm allowed to say, but it's happening and I'm looking forward to seeing the rest of the cast again and the crew," Dakota Johnson, who played Anastasia Steele in the first film, told the Spanish publication, as noted by News Everyday. "We had such a wonderful family and I mean, obviously it was a bonding experience to shoot this movie."

"Johnson's co-star, Jamie Dornan, who plays the male lead, billionaire businessman, Christian Grey, is set to return as well. Their contract details, however, have not been revealed," the site added.

The rest of the cast has not yet been confirmed, although rumors say that Rita Ora will be back as Grey's sister and Eloise Mumford will reprise her role as Ana's best friend Kate.

There also has been talk of "Superman vs Batman" star Henry Cavill being cast as Jack Hyde and Charlize Theron as Elena Lincoln, Grey's dominant.

"Fifty Shades Darker" has been scheduled to premiere on February 10, 2017 and will be "more of a thriller," according to Donna Langley, Universal Pictures chief, as noted by The Hollywood Reporter.

It also has been revealed that the script will be done by "Fifty Shades of Grey" author E.L. James' husband, Niall Leonard. Although he has had experience writing scripts for British TV shows, it will be his first time doing one for a major film.

"The reason for the delay in naming a screenwriter for the sequel was that James herself wanted to write the screenplay," Variety said. "While Leonard works on the script, the studio will now look to find a replacement for director Sam Taylor-Johnson."

If indeed production will begin first quarter of 2016, the James and the studio has about 5 months to find a director to helm "Fifty Shades Darker." Or perhaps the author herself might try her hand at filmmaking, considering reports that she had clashed with Taylor-Johnson over the treatment of the first film?

What do you think? Comment and let us know.

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