Fifty Shades Darker, the planned big screen adaptation of the second book in E L James’ Fifty Shades of Grey trilogy, has found a screenwriter in none other than James’ own husband, Niall Leonard. The Hollywood Reporter brings word that Leonard, in addition to having worked on British series like “Wire in the Blood” and “Wild at Heart,” did uncredited rewrites on the first Fifty Shades of Grey film.
A global phenomenon, “Fifty Shades of Grey” was first published in 2011 and follows the relationship of 27-year-old billionaire Christian Grey (Jamie Dornan) and college student Anastasia Steele (Dakota Johnson). “Fifty Shades Darker” (2011) and a third book, “Fifty Shades Freed” (2012), explore the couple?s deepening relationship. The trilogy has been translated in over 50 languages worldwide since its release. To date, the ?Fifty Shades? trilogy has sold over 70 million copies worldwide in e-book and print, making it one of the fastest-selling book series ever.
The first film, scripted by Saving Mr. Banks‘ Kelly Marcel, was directed by Sam Taylor-Johnson (Nowhere Boy), has earned an impressive $568 million at the worldwide box office. It’s no secret, however, that James clashed with Marcel and Taylor-Johnson creatively over their approach to Fifty Shades of Grey and it was announced that neither would be returning for the sequel.
