Prepare to Get 50 SHADES DARKER; Author's Husband Pens Script

 

The sequel-gears are finally, slowly, in motion for Universal Studios 50 Shades of Grey sequel, 50 Shades Darker (or so we assume the title will remain) as author of the novel, E.L. James, has enlisted her husband Niall Leonard to pen the script for the next chapter in Christian Grey and Anastasia Steele's dark and erotic drama.

 Niall is an outstanding writer in his own right, with multiple established credits, and we are lucky to have him join Team Fifty," says producer Michael De Luca in a statement to THR.

James, whose real name is Erika Leonard, has been credited with keeping a strong amount of creative control when it comes to Universal's adaptations of her books. On the first film, she clashed with director Sam Taylor-Johnson about many aspects of the film, including the ending. Neither Taylor-Johnson nor screenwriter Kelly Marcel are returning for the sequel.

50 Shades of Grey opened to lack-luster reviews this past Valentine's Day; but made close to $600 million off it's meager $40 million budget. 
The film, which sky-rocketed Dakota Johnson and Jamie Dornan to the league of "more money" negotiations for the sequel, had some known issues with Sam Taylor-Johnson departing from further entries along with screenwriter Kelly Marcel.

Does this slow start mean that Universal will miss another strategic Valentine's Day weekend for the sequel in 2016, or will we be seeing the next shade of Grey in 2017?  

50 Shades of Grey releases May 8 on Bluray and DVD.