Sam Taylor-Johnson Has Officially Quit the 'Fifty Shades' Franchise
Pack up your flogger and go.


Proving once again that rumors (opens in new tab) are like the fluffy white popcorn surrounding un-chewable, tooth-cracking kernels of truth, Fifty Shades of Grey director Sam Taylor-Johnson has announced that she is not returning for the sequels. Oh, and neither is screenwriter Kelly Marcel.
"While I will not be returning to direct the sequels, I wish nothing but success to whoever takes on the exciting challenges of films two and three," Taylor-Johnson said in a statement. "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."
Sad but not even close to discovery-of-the-Red-Room (opens in new tab) shocking, given that apparently, E L James wants to adapt Fifty Shades Darker for the screen herself (opens in new tab) and that, you've probably heard, she was reportedly kind of a pain to deal with (opens in new tab).
But you know what else no more FSOG means: extended sanity-regaining vacation (opens in new tab)!
You should also check out:
The 'Fifty Shades of Grey' DVD Will Include Two Hours of Bonus Features (opens in new tab)
Chelsea Peng is a writer and editor who was formerly the assistant editor at MarieClaire.com. She's also worked for The Strategist and Refinery29, and is a graduate of Northwestern University. On her tombstone, she would like a GIF of herself that's better than the one that already exists on the Internet and a free fro-yo machine. Besides frozen dairy products, she's into pirates, carbs, Balzac, and snacking so hard she has to go lie down.
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