Even after the controversial "Fifty Shades of Grey" became an unexpected hit, it seems that issues continue to hound the film and its production. News came out that the movie's director would not return to helm the upcoming sequel of the franchise.
According to Deadline, Sam Taylor-Johnson confirmed that she would not come back to the directorial chair to shoot the sequels based on E.L. James' erotica trilogy.
"Directing 'Fifty Shades of Grey' has been an intense and incredible journey for which I am hugely grateful. I have Universal to that for that. I forged close and lasting relationships with the cast, producers and most especially, with Dakota and Jamie," said Taylor-Johnson.
The director also wished the production team success in the next two movies.
The 48-year-old English filmmaker has not revealed her reasons for quitting the production team. However, many speculate that her decision was based on her previous experience in shooting the film.
Early in January, Taylor-Johnson admitted that there were moments during filming that she did not see eye to eye with the author. The 52-year-old writer was reportedly very protective with her story that some of the director's ideas were curbed.
A January report in The Guardian quoted the director and wrote, "It was difficult, 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."
A big chunk of the clashes apparently focused on the script's language and sex scenes. James reportedly would not allow Patrick Marber's changes on the Kelly Marcel written script. Meanwhile, the author also wanted more nudity than what was planned to remain true to the book.
Marcel would also not return for the sequels.
With two important roles in the production team left vacant, some expressed their concern that the movies might not push through. However, based on the books' the first film's success, there is no doubt that the sequels would happen, noted Cinema Blend.
The problem might be on just finding a new director to helm the films as James reportedly expressed her desire to pen the script in the absence of Marcel.
"Fifty Shades Darker" is expected to hit theaters in 2017 with Dakota Johnson and Jamie Dornan back to reprise their roles.
