When everyone wants to buy the rights to your erotic bestsellers, you get to make the rules on any deals. And so, in 2012, when Universal and Focus Features landed the rights to the "Fifty Shades Of Grey" trilogy, they were willing to make some major concessions to get the contract signed, namely giving author E.L. James rare power of approval over the film’s script, casting, and director. Even though the movie is a massive financial success, we wonder if Universal and Focus aren’t having some pangs of regret. Filmmaker Sam Taylor-Johnson hasn’t made secret her clashes with E.L. James, while the author has reportedly fought for everything, including the literal last word in the movie. And it appears James is asserting herself on the sequel too.
Variety reports that development on "Fifty Shades Darker," which seems like a no brainer to get the green light already, is hitting a rough patch because James wants to write the script herself. For the first film, she co-wrote alongside Kelly Marcel ("Saving Mr. Banks"), and that draft was rewritten by Patrick Marber ("Notes On A Scandal"). But James wants to go solo, and according to the trade, this likely means production on ‘Darker’ won’t start until the first quarter of 2016 at the earliest.
It’s certainly understandable why Universal is cagey on giving James free reign with her own material. No one read ‘Fifty Shades’ for its literary value, and the movie wisely ditched a lot of the book’s worst writing, leading many to give the finished film the faint praise that it was better than the source material. But given how much James fought with everyone during the production of the first movie, it’s clear why she wants to make sure the details she feels are important are right from the first step.
As for Sam Taylor-Johnson, she’s not expected to return to direct, even if the official word at the moment is that no discussions have taken place. Again, not exactly a surprise that she might not be interested in reliving her experience on the first movie.
So, you might be waiting a while to get tied up again. But maybe Universal and James will find the safe word to make everyone happy and proceed naughtily with making this thing happen sooner rather than later.
The whole inner goddess thing was really annoying. The constant name brand listing was also annoying. She got lucky with the trilogy it could have went either way. If I were her I would not push my luck.
The main problem is…Christian Grey
Doesn\’t have the demeanor to carry the inner darkness of the role.
The fighting that\’s going on behind the scenes is not the hot issue. They miss the target on casting the main character.
This is like Tom Clancy trying to code a video game. Stick to what you know (even if it is writing horrible fanfiction for the housefrau crowd).
The movie was more enjoyable than the book. By the third book I was skipping the sex sciences and any passage where Ana was having a conversation with her subconscious or goddess. Please Ms. James leave scriptwriting and directing to the professionals.
If the possible sequels take too long to develop, the current stars will be too old for the roles and have to be replaced.
E.L. James memo: How dare! Me have keyboard, and Goddess bondage. Yor pal, E. El. Jams
Universal memo: So, this time we were thinking of hiring a writer. Who can actually write.
What about if she worked in withe the screenwriter and other with a bigger input
i guess she\’s already made loads of bank with the books and first movie. it\’s her baby, let her do it, i say.
*She would want to direct the third one. (Correction)
Her writing is horrid. I could not even make it through the third abomination without stopping 10 pages in. If she was smart, she would let someone else write the script and sit back and reap the rewards of profits. Don\’t insert yourself where you are not wanted nor needed. If she is allowed to write the script, there should be script doctors on hand because the next thing is she won\’t want to direct the third one and that\’s not good.
She is not a script writer. She just happened to write fan fiction that a lot of people enjoyed. If she had any sense, she would have an experienced script writer for the sequels. Also the fan base will be lost by waiting so long.