Fifty Shades of Grey is a huge hit at the box office, so why hasn’t a sequel been greenlit?
Despite a report from MTV last week that jumped to conclusions, Universal has yet to announce their intention to shoot the second book in the trilogy, Fifty Shades Darker.
Today we’re learning why, and it comes down to that “control” theme which gave the books their success. According to Variety, author E.L. James wants Universal to let her write the screenplay, and now the two parties are preparing to hash out the idea. Universal was reportedly against the idea at first, but James’ “demands” have left them with no other choice.
Variety says that the screenplay debacle means the film won’t begin shooting until early 2016, leaving no chance of Fifty Shades Darker hitting theaters by Valentine’s Day 2016.
Related: Tit for tat: Fifty Shades of Grey and Hollywood’s disturbing male gaze problem
Several reports over the past couple months have indicated that James and the film’s production team, including Grey screenwriter Kelly Marcel, sparred numerous times over the direction of the film. “[James] attended creative meetings to make sure that the film didn’t veer too far from her book,” says Variety. “According to sources, James, who has no prior film experience, would at times hold up the creative process by offering input that wasn’t in line with the filmmakers’ vision. But given James’ contract with Universal, the director and other producers on the film couldn’t go around her.”
James has never written a screenplay, so Fifty Shades Darker’s script would likely need some revisions before the sequel was sent into production.
She won’t be the first author to take a stab at screenplay writing.
Author Rainbow Rowell is currently at work on a screenplay of her debut novel Eleanor & Park at the request of Dreamworks, who owns the film rights.
J.K. Rowling recently completed the script for a film loosely based on her book Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them. It’s believed that she’s receiving help from Harry Potter screenwriter Steve Kloves.
Many have panned James’ Fifty Shades trilogy because of its less-than-stellar writing, so many will wonder (and worry) what will happen when she writes a script.
Fifty Shades has grossed $102 million in the United States and $209 million internationally as of Thursday.
Related: I read Fifty Shades of Grey and it was more horrifying than I imagined
Source: Variety
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