‘Fifty Shades Darker’ Rumors: Sequel Delays Continue, Film Not Yet In Production

“Fifty Shades of Grey” producer Dana Brunetti has some news fans may not want to hear. The February box office behemoth has a sequel in the works, but not many wheels are spinning to get it into production. In fact, Brunetti revealed he has “no idea” if embattled director Sam Taylor-Johnson will be back on to direct the sequel and that E.L. James has yet to meet with executives.

In a recent interview from his Trigger Street Production offices in downtown L.A., Brunetti discussed the stall in the “Fifty Shades Darker” production.“We literally have no idea what we're going to do. I have not even met with the studio or anybody yet about the second film,” said Brunetti. “I haven't been into the studio yet. We've sent some emails back and forth and were basically like, ‘OK, we're just going to figure out when everyone can get together and meet.’”

The interview comes shortly after E.L. James teased fans with a photo of her trip to NBC/Comcast offices, parent company of the studio that released “Fifty Shades of Grey,” Universal Studios. The move debunked Brunetti’s statement that James had yet to return stateside to work on the sequel. The “Fifty Shades” author has earned a reputation of being difficult to work with after highly publicized clashes with director Taylor-Johnson and insisting on a larger role in the “Fifty Shades Darker” sequel. There is good chance that “Fifty Shades of Grey” screenwriter Kelly Marcel will not return for the sequel.

The sequel to “Fifty Shades of Grey” was previously confirmed at a New York fan event prior to the film’s monumental weekend at the box office. With a new expected date of spring 2017, further “Fifty Shades Darker” delays could push the sequel to even later in the year or into 2018. Delays could also hamper stars Dakota Johnson and Jamie Dornan from reprising their roles.

Despite grossing well over $500 million so far at the international box office, the powers-at-large seem to be in little hurry of rushing “Fifty Shades Darker” into theaters. The sequel will continue Anastasia “Ana” Steele and Christian Grey’s affair as they reunite after a separation and introduce Grey’s business partner and former lover, the rival Elena Lincoln. In the series, Lincoln is often referred to as Mrs. Robinson, a reference to the 1967 movie “The Graduate” because of Lincoln’s age inappropriate seduction of Grey when he was 15-years-old.