‘Fifty Shades’ director officially quits
Its official, Fifty Shades of Grey director Sam Taylor-Johnson has left the film franchise and will not be returning for the sequel, Fifty Shades Darker.
Taylor-Johnson confirmed the news via an exclusive statement sent to Deadline who reported the story. Here’s what she said in the 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."
It was reported a couple of weeks ago that Taylor-Johnson was considering leaving the franchise with many reports indicating her exit was due to the clashes she and the book’s author E.L. James had during the making of the first film.
Back in January, Taylor-Johnson spoke of the clashes to Variety saying: "She [James] created these characters and the story. I was trying to create a film experience that would honour the book but at the same time give us a fresh perspective. That was difficult for her. We’d battle things out. I think you could say we crossed every scenario through our battles."
