'Fifty Shades of Grey' sequel needs a director as Sam Taylor-Johnson moves on | EW.com 

\'Fifty Shades of Grey\' finds its director: Sam Taylor-Johnson

EW confirmed that Taylor-Johnson will not return to direct the second installment of the E.L. James’ bestselling-book series for Universal.

 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,” Taylor-Johnson said in a statement.

So even though leads Jamie Dornan and Dakota Johnson are under option deals for the next film, Universal will have to find a replacement to helm the next installment in the franchise.

Taylor-Johnson had cut certain scenes from the book for the film and reportedly had creative differences with writer James, which lead to some speculation she wouldn’t be returning.

 has already grossed over a half a billion at the worldwide box office. 

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