Helmer Sam Taylor-Johnson leaving "Fifty Shades of Grey" franchise

PanARMENIAN.Net - Sam Taylor-Johnson is officially leaving "Fifty Shades of Grey" franchise. The film director confirmed her exit from the feature, telling Deadline in a statement, "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."

According to AceShowbiz, Sam's departure from the film's upcoming follow-ups came as no surprise since it has widely been reported that she did have tough times with writer E.L. James while filming the first adaptation. "I'm not going to lie. We definitely fought, but they were creative fights and we would resolve them. We would have proper on-set barneys, and I'm not confrontational, but it was about finding a way between the two of us, satisfying her vision of what she'd written as well as my need to visualize this person on screen, but, you know, we got there," Sam previously admitted.

In line with Sam's exit, it was reported that screenwriter Kelly Marcel will also not be returning for the upcoming sequel titled "Fifty Shades Darker". At the time of writing, there hasn't been official statement from Universal regarding possible replacements for the two.

Notwithstanding Sam and Kelly's departure, shooting on "Fifty Shades Darker" will still be kicked off in the first quarter of 2016 as it has been planned, with Jamie Dornan and Dakota Johnson on board to reprise their roles as Christian Grey and Anastasia Steele respectively. No release date has been set though.