The Fifty Shades franchise is in search of new director.
Deadline has confirmed Sam Taylor-Johnson — who helmed the first film in the erotic trilogy — will not be returning for the sequels.
The news is hardly surprising to many in the industry. Sam famously clashed on set with Fifty Shades of Grey author E.L. James, who held significant creative control over the big screen adaptation.
“Directing Fifty Shades of Grey has been an intense and incredible journey for which I am hugely grateful,”; Sam told Deadline. “I forged close and lasting relationships with the cast, producers and crew and most especially, with Dakota and Jamie.”;
She added, “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.”
Sam certainly deserves her own set of accolades: to date, Fifty Shades of Grey has earned nearly $560 million at the worldwide box office.
