LOS ANGELES — Sam Taylor-Johnson will not be returning to direct the sequels to “Fifty Shades of Grey,” she announced Wednesday night.
Taylor-Johnson issued a statement to industry site Deadline in which she thanked Universal Pictures.
The $40 million adaptation of author E L James’ erotic novel has grossed a staggering $558 million worldwide in just six weeks in theaters, but even before the film debuted, rumors circulated that she would not likely be the person ushering “Fifty Shades Darker” and “Fifty Shades Freed” to the big screen.
Stars Dakota Johnson and Jamie Dornan are expected to return for both sequels, which have yet to be officially announced.
A representative for Universal Pictures had no comment.
