E.L. James' Husband to Pen FIFTY SHADES OF GREY Sequel

According to The Hollywood Reporter, E.L. James' husband, Niall Leonard, has signed on to write the upcoming sequel to FIFTY SHADES OF GREY, titled FIFTY SHADES DARKER.

The news comes after director Sam Taylor-Johnson confirmed she would not be returning, which came just weeks after original screenwriter Kelly Marcel announced her departure.

As previously reported, James is reportedly interested in adapting FIFTY SHADES DARKER herself, and is seeking direct control over the scripts for the soon-to-be franchise.

Leonard is best known for writing the CRUSHER series of novels. Per THR, he's also written episodes of the British TV Shows WIRE IN THE BLOOD and AIR FORCE ONE IS DOWN.

FIFTY SHADES OF GREY stars Jamie Dornan and Dakota Johnson -- who are most likely returning for the next two films -- along with Jennifer Ehle, Luke Grimes, Victor Rasuk, Eloise Mumford, Max Martini, Rita Ora, Marcia Gay Harden and Callum Keith Rennie.

The book series has become a global phenomenon and the trilogy has been translated in over 50 languages worldwide since its release. To date, the "Fifty Shades" trilogy has sold over 70 million copies worldwide in e-book and print, making it one of the fastest-selling book series ever.

FIFTY SHADES OF GREY (first published in 2011) follows the relationship of 27-year-old billionaire Christian Grey and college student Anastasia Steele. Subsequent novels in the series, FIFTY SHADES DARKER (2011) and FIFTY SHADES FREE (2012) explore the couple's deepening relationship.

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