"Fifity Shades of Grey" Steps Aside for Sequel

We analyze how 'Creative Disagreements' led to her dismissal/departure.

Story by Matt Cummings

In what might have been the biggest DUH moment of the entertainment week, The Hollywood Reporter has revealed that Director Sam Taylor-Johnson will not be returning to direct the sequel, 50 Shades Darker. In a statement released Thursday, the director of 50 Shades of Grey said the following:

"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...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."

The tale of bondage and love, 50 Shades opened to an impressive $92 million over the Valentines Day weekend, but quickly fell 72% in its second week, after audiences left less than impressed with Actors Dakota Johnson and Jamie Dornan. Complaints of a lack of chemistry could be felt in every scene, with the sadomasochistic sequences failing to turn up the heat that readers had come to expect. In addition, personality conflicts between Author EL James and Taylor-Johnson were nearly common occurrences by the end of filming.

Our review chided the lack of heat between the leads, but we were also put off by the unnecessary side stories that failed to figure in to the larger tale of Christian Grey's dominance over Alexandria Steele. Truth be told, we were hoping for the next Basic Instinct 2.0, given the situations which James concocted in her book. But can scenes of anal play, dungeons, and full-frontal (male included) thrive in mainstream features, rather than be relegated to porn houses and subscription services?

Observers here have been correct to place a 'Creative Differences' label over why Taylor-Johnson left/was fired, but will anything be different in Part 2 with both her and screenwriter Kelly Marcel out of the picture? It's tough to beat up on two people when a production fails on so many levels, but it's clear that Universal listened to James over Taylor-Johnson and stepped in to demand, "Quit or be fired." Whether a new creative team will be able to up the passion without MPAA slapping an NC17 rating along the way might be more interesting in the follow-up itself, especially if the action is just as tame.

Still, the $40 million production has made over $550 million worldwide, proving that audiences do at least want to see BDSM portrayed on the big screen. Whatever Universal plans to do with the sequels is signaling their desire to see bigger profits and respond to what is obviously pent-up demand for sexual sadism in mainstream movies.

However that works out - and whoever is tapped to take over the reigns - will determine the future of the genre for the forseeable future. If 50 Shades Darker can succeed beyond mere financial numbers, and encourage a greater conversation about sex, then the decision see Taylor-Johnson move along will be viewed as the right move.

Source: THR

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