‘House of Cards’ director James Foley favorite to direct ‘Fifty Shades

As per usual with Den of Geek, any bit of Fifty Shades of Grey sizzle must come with some much more healthy independent film recommendations.

After Sam Taylor-Johnson chose not to return to helm the sequel, Universal and author EL James began searching for a new director.

According to a report from Deadline Hollywood, James Foley has emerged as the clear frontrunner to take over the director’s chair for “Fifty Shades Darker”, the sequel to this year’s blockbuster adaptation of the bestselling Fifty Shades of Grey, by E. L. James.

There’s no offer yet, but sources say producers will start the process early next week. But negotiations still have to lock in a deal, and there’s some consideration whether the studio wants to make just Darker or add Fifty Shades Freed to the schedule, and keep Dakota Johnson and Jamie Dornan in place.

“Fifty Shades of Grey” was probably the most talked about erotica movie, and book, of all time, and with it being a three-book series, moviegoers are already pumped to see what the sequel has in store on the big screen. He’s also worked with a slew of bands on short films, docs and music videos, and directed 2007’s U2 3D.

In addition for directing Glengarry Glen Ross, Foley is best known for directing a number of episodes of Netflix’s House of Cards, as well as one episode of M. Night Shyamalan’s Wayward Pines.

He is repped by UTA and Agence 3a. Foley followed that up with the not-so-seminal Mark Wahlberg stalks Reese Witherspoon movie, Fear.

Also not returning for the sequel is screenwriter Kelly Marcel. Fifty Shades Darker is darkening our cinemas on February 10, 2017, with Fifty Shades Freed set for February 9, 2018.

Jamie Dornan and Dakota Johnson are attached to reprise their roles, with author E.L. James, Michael De Luca and Dana Brunetti producing. Despite being strongly criticized by some, “Fifty Shades of Grey” proved to be a massive hit at the box office and helped to kick off Universal Studio’s record-setting year.